Special stamps to mark occasion
THE oldest English school in Malaysia, Penang Free School (PFS), kick started its bicentenary celebration yesterday with two special launches in its compound — a special stamp series issued by Pos Malaysia Bhd entitled “Penang Free School: 200 years of excellence” and the planting of a time capsule at a circular monument next to the school.
On hand to grace both activities were guests-of-honour Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, who was accompanied by his consort, Raja Perempuan of Perlis Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Abdul Rashid, and members of the PFS Board of Governors.
Others were Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and his wife, Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, and Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife, Toh Puan Majimor Shariff.
In his speech during the school award presentation, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, a former PFS student, lauded the school’s academic excellence, which continues to scale new heights.
He said PFS had produced many household names in politics and entertainment, much more than any other education institutions elsewhere in the country.
He cited the country’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Penang’s second chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, and silver screen legend Tan Sri P. Ramlee, as luminaries of the school.
CELEBRATION: School also plants a time capsule
“My son (Tuanku Syed Faizuddin) also studied here and it is my hope that my grandchildren will follow our footsteps,” he said.
Pos Malaysia Bhd chairman Tan Sri Khamil Jamil, who is also a former student, accompanied Tuanku Syed
ALUMNI
Sirajuddin to sign the first day covers commemorating the ceremony.
The time capsule contains historical documents, including those from the Old Frees’ Association, school magazines, photographs and newspaper cuttings from the past 50 years, as well as memorabilia of the 200th celebration. It will be opened 50 years later in 2066.
It was a cordial atmosphere as old students mingled, including seven past principals who came to the awards ceremony.