Mr Matyasir Zairani and his daughter Nuharina sharing a proud moment at this year’s NPCC Annual Parade, celebrating East Spring Secondary School’s NPCC unit being awarded Distinction for overall unit proficiency in 2023.
For Mr Matyasir Zairani, the National Police Cadet Corps represents the realisation of a lifelong dream. Inspired by his dedication, his daughter Nuharina Zairani follows in his footsteps, forging her own path in the uniformed group.
For Mr Matyasir Zairani, 50, being a Teacher Officer in the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) is a dream come true. “During my school days, I tried to join NPCC and other Uniformed Groups as my CCA, but there were no vacancies,” he recalls. “I ended up joining a club as my CCA. At the time, I envied my friends in their smart uniforms, performing foot drills with precision.”
Now, in his role, he inspires new generations of cadets — including his own daughter Nuharina Zairani, an NPCC Cadet Inspector at East Spring Secondary School where her father teaches. Starting as a cadet, she followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a dedicated member of the uniformed group and continuing her service as a Home Team Volunteer with the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
A visit to the NPCC Annual Parade (NPAP) at the Home Team Academy (HTA) when she was 11 left a lasting impression on young Nuharina. “The experience wowed her, and she told me that she wanted to join NPCC in secondary school so that she could be part of the NPAP parade,” Mr Zairani shares.
This perfectly aligned with her interests. “Since I was young, I’ve always been fascinated by policing in Singapore. I used to watch Crimewatch with my dad whenever a new episode aired,” she elaborates. “I was also captivated by the uniformed groups during the National Day Parade, especially when they performed their drills.”
BONDING THROUGH SHARED EXPERIENCES
Their shared experiences in NPCC strengthened the bond between father and daughter. “I was always close to my father growing up, but our bond grew even stronger when I joined NPCC in secondary school,” Nuharina, 18, shares.
After graduating from secondary school, she attended the Cadet Inspector Basic Training Course in 2022 and began serving as a volunteer with the Home Team Volunteer Network (HTVN) and as a Cadet Inspector at her school. Nuharina fondly recalls her father’s unwavering support: “He would wake up early every morning to drive me to HTA. When he picked me up, he would bring dinner for me to eat in the car. These small gestures showed me just how much he supports and loves me.”
She adds that she has always looked up to her father, whose dedication to NPCC and willingness to put in extra hours for his cadets inspired her to walk a similar path.
Nuharina’s progression from cadet to mentor in her NPCC journey was a significant milestone that filled her father with immense pride. As she steps into the role of guiding future generations of cadets, she embodies the spirit of responsibility and service her father instilled in her. “As a father, I am very happy to observe the tremendous improvements she has made,” says Mr Zairani. “She has come a long way from being a shy and timid girl.”
During her first event as a volunteer at Adventure Training Camp, her father’s constant support was a source of comfort. “I was very nervous as it was my first time coordinating a camp, but my father’s guidance made the process more bearable,” she recounts. “He would come and check on me to ensure I was doing the work properly and staying safe.”
Most recently, the 2024 NPAP experience was pivotal for Nuharina, who is now studying biomedical engineering at Temasek Polytechnic. “I wanted to prove my capabilities and growth over the past year,” she shares. “After this whole experience, I gained more confidence in myself and learned new skills such as perseverance and resilience.”
Through her dedication, she not only honours her father’s legacy, but also strengthens her ties with the NPCC and the HTVN. Despite challenges, Nuharina embraces her role with determination and grace, supported by her family. “I want to inspire my cadets to carry forward the legacy of lifelong learning in the NPCC. Maybe some may return as Cadet Inspectors with HTVN and continue their love for NPCC.”
Instilling lifelong values
Mr Zairani notes: “Through its various programmes and activities such as NPAP and law enforcement courses, NPCC embeds the values of Resilience, Integrity, Service and Excellence (RISE).” Nuharina adds: “NPCC has made me more mature and prepared for adulthood, as I get to meet and learn from people from all walks of life.”
Creating lasting memories
The training, experiences, events and friendships formed through NPCC, and the Home Team Volunteer Scheme leave a lasting impact. “It pushed me to be a better trainer and gave me new insights from others that I can apply to my own Cadet Inspector journey with HTVN,” Nuharina shares, reflecting on the 2024 NPAP. “It also gave me the motivation to keep growing and improving.”
Building relationships
Volunteering fosters emotional and personal connections. For Nuharina, volunteering with HTVN was special as it allowed her to strengthen her bond with her father. “Discussing NPCC matters and having my opinion valued made me feel more connected with him,” she says.
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