DULI YANG TERAMAT MULIA, RAJAMUDA PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN RAJA DR. NAZRIN SHAH IBNI SULTAN AZLANMUHIBBUDDIN SHAH,
Chairman, Board of Governors of MCKK,
January 2005 - December 2010

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, the Merciful.

Praise be to Allah Almighty (God), who is the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Universe. May peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets.

2. The Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) celebrated its centennial in 2005. The College was born out of the direct vision of Their Royal Highnesses the Malay Rulers who expressed concern that very few Malays were taking part in the modern administration of the States of the newly constituted Federated Malay States, as a direct result of the lack of Malay children going to modern, English-medium schools in the late nineteenth century. The Malay Rulers’ vision of setting up a special school to equip young Malays with modern education has not only become a legacy, but has inspired the Malay community to accept
progress. The College also taught the Malays that they are responsible for their own destiny.


3. After more than 100 years, MCKK can be proud of its exemplary history and achievements. However, we cannot continue to bask in the reflected glory, but wish to remain relevant in the future. Achievement requires initiative, hard work as well as creativity; the ability to always remain in the forefront, the courage to be innovative, and the will to make changes.

4. A world without borders or a global community is now nearer to reality. Malaysia has always realized the importance of networking and close cooperation, at the regional and the international levels. The roles assumed by this nation in world bodies have been increasingly important and the strategic interdependence of this country in the world stage is becoming more encompassing.

5. In this respect, the Board of Governors has urged the Ministry of Education to give some autonomy and flexibility to the Board to implement some educational programs and initiatives at MCKK. In 2005, we proposed setting up the “International Baccalaureate” (IB), a post-SPM and pre-University, program at MCKK, to provide contemporary knowledge that has wide global acceptance, in addition to having more matured role models for the students.

Alhamdulillah, the construction of the IB Complex is now in progress, and the first batch of students is expected to commence their studies in 2011.

6. In 2006, the Board completed a blueprint, the Project Sayong, which reviewed MCKK’s current state and defined its roadmap. The deliverables of the blueprint reflect the consensus of the Board and the majority of old boys—seniors and juniors—on what should be the ideal action plans to raise the standards at MCKK, to ensure the College remain relevant and respected for the next century, and to become the benchmark for others to emulate. MCKK in this era of globalization, of information, communications and technology, and in the era of a knowledge-based economy, should be willing and able to take more responsibility in contributing towards the nation’s quest to become a developed nation, as well as making this nation a regional hub for education.

7. In the efforts to implement the various programs and initiatives outlined in our blueprint, the over-riding financial requirements needed to be addressed. In 2008, the Board of Governors successfully incorporated The MCKK Foundation, to support development efforts at MCKK. Initially, we are ensuring that new infrastructures at the College—the IB Complex and a new auditorium—should reflect the identity of MCKK as a premier institution; while we repair, refurbish, and/or upgrade existing buildings and facilities.

8. Human resource development in the new era requires a dynamic and concerted effort, parallel to the fast changing developments in science, communication systems, and information channels. Educational institutions play a pivotal role in developing human resource, hence must be proactive in making bold moves, and crossing new boundaries. Curriculum and cocurriculum need to be continuously updated. Contents and methodologies too must be constantly reviewed to keep up with current knowledge and technology.

9. The academic achievements at the Malay College in the past years have been very encouraging. Those achievements reflect the untiring efforts and commitment of the teachers in facilitating and guiding the students—as well as the support of parents, old boys, and friends.

10. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed time, effort or money towards making MCKK a unique and respectable institution. Every new step ventured is an extension of the aspirations of Their Royal Highnesses the Malay Rulers, who, more than a century ago, realized the importance of educating the Malays with religious and modern contemporary knowledge, so that our future generations will not suffer an unfortunate fate, as the Malay proverb goes: bagaikan ayam kelaparan di kepuk, bagaikan itik kehausan di air. Let us continue working together.


Wabillahi taufik walhidayah
Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.