A centenary in the making

On 26th March 2005, that is yesterday, my old hometown received another suprise from the Royal Family. Being a royal town of the state, the Malay rulers of the entire Malay state decided to give another jewel to boost the already-famous image of my hometown.

The Royal Highness decided to announce my former high school as the national heritage. That will undoubtly augmented the importance of my hometown on the map of Malaysia. The royal palace of Perak, the beautiful Ubudiah Mosque, the antique Istana Kenangan, the oldest rubber tree in Malaysia, the famous Labu Sayong, the peaceful and serene Sungai Perak and now the Malay College as the national heritage.

The inauguration of MCKK as the national heritage in conjuction with its centenary celebration clearly marked its pivotal role in the history of the nation generally and specifically, my old beloved hometown. Today, most if not all the main Malaysian newspapers displayed the ceremony in their main section.

The proclamation of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) as a national heritage by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin was carried out in a royal manner.

The scroll bearing the proclamation was carried to the grounds of the 100-year-old college by a royal entourage on seven elephants.

Accompanied by hundreds of students and soldiers dressed in traditional warrior costumes carrying flags and spears, the elephants took about 40 minutes to reach the MCKK grounds from Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan.

Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah, the Keeper of the Royal Seal and also an old boy, presented the scroll to Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah who is the chairman of the MCKK Board of Governors.

Raja Nazrin then presented the scroll to the King for the royal proclamation of the college as a national heritage, as was decided by the Council of Malay Rulers.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, who read out the scroll, said the Malay Rulers had witnessed with pride the growth of the MCKK as a premier centre of learning in the last 100 years.

"Thus, it is our wish, as the Malay rulers, to further increase the prestige of this college and at the same time amplify our (the Malay Rulers') involvement in its growth."

The King then proclaimed the college as a national heritage, an honour bestowed for the MCKK's long and important contribution to the growth of Malay elitism in public administration in the last 100 years.

Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also extended the Malay rulers' promise that their "patronage shall remain till the day the sun, moon and the stars cease to exist".

Among the dignitaries present were Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Jaafar and Malacca Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob.

Others included Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and hundreds of present and former students.

Founded in 1905, MCKK has been an exceptional educational institution for Malays of all backgrounds, producing many national leaders, corporate figures and intellectuals.

According to its records, the first eight successive Yang di-Pertuan Agongs all studied at the college.

Others who had acquired their primary and secondary education at the prestigious college include Umno founder Datuk Onn Jaafar, second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, former Inspector-General of Police Tun Haniff Omar and Khalil.

Among the well-known teachers who served at the college was Zainal Abidin Ahmad or better known as Za'aba.

Meanwhile, Raja Nazrin said the high standards of the college must be maintained especially after its proclamation as a national heritage.

He said the role played by the Malay rulers in the growth of the MCKK should also be supported by the students, teachers and school staff to ensure the tradition of excellence in every field was maintained at all times.

-News Strait Times-

KUALA KANGSAR 26 Mac - Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail hari ini mengisytiharkan Kolej Melayu Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) sebagai Warisan Bangsa dan Negara dalam satu acara penuh adat istiadat Melayu.

Pemasyhuran dilakukan di hadapan beberapa raja Melayu dan kerabat diraja sempena ulang tahun ke-100 MCKK yang jelas menunjukkan kaitan rapatnya dengan institusi kesultanan dan kepimpinan negara.

Pada istiadat itu, Yang di-Pertuan Agong bertitah bahawa raja-raja Melayu akan terus menaungi MCKK dan mempertahankannya `selagi ada peredaran bulan, bintang dan matahari.'

Majlis itu bermula di Istana Iskandariah dengan penyerahan watikah oleh Pemegang Mohor Raja-Raja kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong dan watikah itu diarak dengan tujuh ekor gajah sejauh tiga kilometer ke MCKK.

Perarakan itu turut disertai oleh 100 anggota tentera dan 300 pelajar MCKK.

Antara raja-raja Melayu yang hadir ialah Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Jaafar, Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka, Tun Khalil Yaakob, Raja Muda Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, Speaker Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib, Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Menteri Pelajaran, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein serta ribuan bekas pelajar yang kini menjadi teknokrat dan ahli perniagaan ulung di negara ini.

Pemasyhuran itu tepat dengan sejarah dan kegemilangan MCKK yang berjaya mengekalkan kecemerlangannya sebagai gedung ilmu bagi pelajar Melayu sejak 100 tahun yang lalu.

Sejak penubuhannya pada Januari 1905, lapan daripada 12 Yang di-Pertuan Agong dan seorang Perdana Menteri menuntut di MCKK.

Sepanjang 100 tahun usianya, MCKK juga tercatat dalam sejarah sebagai sebuah sekolah paling banyak melahirkan cerdik pandai Melayu daripada kalangan pemimpin, pentadbir dan tokoh korporat negara.

MCKK seolah-olah sama dengan membaca sejarah Malaysia yang dibarisi satu senarai panjang tokoh-tokoh pengasas, pejuang, perancang, pentadbir dan pelaksana untuk mengisi tuntutan pada zaman masing-masing.

Antara bekas penuntutnya ialah Sultan Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, Sultan Perak Sultan Azlan Shah dan Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Jaafar. Ia juga melahirkan pengasas UMNO seperti Datuk Onn Jaafar, Allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, nasionalis Allahyarham Datuk Ishak Muhammad (Pak Sako), bekas Pengerusi DRB-Hicom Allahyarham Tan Sri Yahaya Ahmad, bekas Ketua Polis Negara Tun Haniff Omar dan Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Khalil Yaakob.

Beberapa kerabat diraja Brunei turut mendapat pendidikan di sini.

Antara guru termasyhur di MCKK ialah C. Bezell (guru besar kepada Allahyarham Tun Razak) dan Zainal Abidin Ahmad (Pendeta Za'aba).

-Utusan Malaysia-

Being a Kuala Kangsar born and then entering the famous Malay College, proud am I to be part of this event. Nevertheless, with powerful ability comes great responsibility. In the past, many of MCKK students lead the nation in politics, economics and many fields. Yet, for the past 20 years or so, the leaders of MCKK bred were reduced and weakened the popularity of MCKK in comparison with other top schools around the nation.

Something great have changed the polarity in the school and the tradition that it is used to be. Many 'old boys' have sought the answer for this tremendous downward alteration. Past experience of mine have told me part of this answer and part of those answer lies on the culture and tradition established among its students.

With the coming of the new millenium and the advancement of other full boarding schools, change is a must for MCKK for it to play a significant role as in the past. Never be static and dormant with the past famous glory. Be vibrant and active in participating in various fields.

The new path for MCKK lies ahead. Successful or not, I will wait and see...

-old boy of MCKK-

Hafiz

Class of 2000