History of Lionism Growth in MD308

 1. Beginning of Lionism

• 1958: Lionism was introduced to Singapore by Noshor Pundole from India.

• 11 October 1958: Lions Club of Singapore was officially chartered with sponsorship from an Indian Lions Club.

• 7 December 1960: Lions Club of Singapore East was formed, making the original club the Host Club.

2. Expansion into Malaysia and Brunei

• 18 February 1959: Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur became the first Lions Club in Peninsular (West) Malaysia.

• 12 March 1969: Sponsored the formation of Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur West, and became Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur Host.

• 4 October 1966: First Lions Club in East Malaysia established in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

• 15 October 1966: Lions Club of Kuching became the first club in Sarawak.

• 6 November 1970: Lions Club of Brunei was formed.

• Lions Clubs International (LCI) grouped Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei under District 308.

3. Rapid Growth of District 308

• Growth was gradual during the first 15 years, then accelerated significantly.

• New clubs formed:

  • 10 clubs (1976–1977)

  • 10 clubs (1977–1978)

  • 8 clubs (1978–1979)

• By 1979:

  • 73 Lions Clubs

    • 48 in West Malaysia

    • 15 in East Malaysia

    • 8 in Singapore

    • 2 in Brunei

  • Approximately 2,500 members.

4. Towards a Multiple District

• District 308 aimed to split into a Multiple District by 1983–1984.

• LCI requirements:

• Each sub-district needed at least 35 clubs.

• Minimum 1,250 members in each sub-district.

5. Multiple District Achievement Unlocked

- PDG Datuk Choong Chin Liang (FY 1982-1983) was the last district governor of the original District 308.

- By 1983, District 308 grew strong enough to split into Multiple District 308, comprising Districts 308A and District 308B.

6. A Multiple District Formed

- District 308 was bifurcated into Districts 308A and 308B. 

- District 308A, which comprised clubs in Singapore, Brunei, and Sarawak, was unable to meet the Lions Clubs International (LCI) membership requirements for a district; several Lions clubs from central and southern Johor were transferred to District 308A to increase its membership. 

- Lion Alec Chin was the first District Governor of 308A; Lion P.S. Rou became the first DG of 308B (1983–1984).

7. Each Milestone Tells A Story 

- In 1998 at the 36th Multiple District 308 Lions Convention in Johor Bahru, District 308B1 and 308B2 were bifurcated into Districts 308A1, 308A2, 308B1, and 308B2.

Before the bifurcation, 10 Lions clubs from the State of Johor were consolidated back into District 308B. The clubs were LC Johor Bahru City, LC Johor Mandarin, LC Johor Bahru Metro, LC Johor Jaya, LC Skudai, LC Kluang, LC Batu Pahat, LC Johor Host (Tasek Utara), LC Johor Bahru Taman Century, and LC Tanjong Puteri.

PCC Dr. Winston Koh and PCC Allan Cheah were the last district governors to serve District 308A and 308B, respectively, for fiscal year 1997-1998

8. Another Milestone Achievement  

Subsequently, for the fiscal year 1998-1999, District 308A and 308B were bifurcated into 308A1, 308A2, 308B1 and 308B2. The district governors were:

Lion Han Thien Fong (308 A1)
Lion Datin Hjh Ellis Suriyati Hj Omar (308 A2)
Lion Chee Boon Leong (308 B1)
Lion Michael Tham (308 B2)

9. More Milestones to Come 

2024: District 308 B1 bifurcated into B1 and B3

- District 308-B1 (initial) was redistricted into:

- District 308 B1: Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan

- District 308 B3: Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Jasin.

2026: District 308 B2 bifurcated into B2 and B5

- Before redistricting: District 308 B2 covered Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah, 

Perlis, and Cameron Highlands (Pahang)

- Post-redistricting:
- District 308 B2: Selangor, Perak, and the Daerah of Cameron Highlands (Pahang)

- District 308 B5: Penang, Kedah, and Perlis