
MRSM Kepala Batas renamed in Pak Lah's honour
KEPALA BATAS: Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Kepala Batas has been renamed in honour of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The proclamation was made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a ceremony here on Monday (May 12).
The institution will now be officially known as MRSM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The change of name was made officially by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki as a tribute to fifth prime minister Abdullah in recognition of his decades of service to the country.
MRSM Kepala Batas began operations on March 1, 2007 with the first intake of 359 students on April 16 that year.
Its establishment marked a milestone in expanding bumiputra education access in the northern part of the peninsula.
It was Abdullah himself who officially launched the college at a Federal Projects Inauguration Ceremony for the Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency on March 29, 2009.
A native of Penang born in Bayan Lepas, Abdullah, who was popularly known as Pak Lah, passed away at the age of 85 on April 14.
He served as prime minister from 2003 to 2009 after Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad concluded his 22-year tenure.
Abdullah earned the title of Malaysia's 'father of human capital development' after introducing the National Human Capital Policy as prime minister.
Present during the proclamation ceremony were Dr Asyraf Wajdi, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad, and Abdullah's son Tan Sri Kamaluddin Abdullah.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Borneo Post
Uggah: Azam Sarawak key strategic partner to achieving Post Covid-19 Development Strategy
Uggah (centre) speaks with Abdullah (right) and William. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (June 18): Angkatan Zaman Mansang (Azam) Sarawak can play a vital role in supporting the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government's vision of achieving a high-income, sustainable, and inclusive state by 2030. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said Azam is a key strategic partner in helping to realise the state's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), which aims to propel Sarawak towards economic prosperity, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. 'Azam Sarawak's role has become increasingly significant in supporting the state government's development strategy through inclusive communication approaches that resonate with all levels of society,' he said at Azam 'Begawai Chara Kitai' here yesterday. He said Azam not only helps to disseminate development messages but also empowers Sarawakians to embrace opportunities, understand their responsibilities, and take ownership of Sarawak's development journey. Uggah noted that while Sarawak achieved high-income status as a region in 2023, well ahead of the 2030 target, efforts must now focus on ensuring that the people themselves enjoy high incomes and improved quality of life. 'This is where Azam can help. The agency can play a critical role in educating and encouraging Sarawakians to seize the opportunities created under PCDS 2030,' he said. Uggah also paid tribute to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his strategic leadership and courage in ensuring that Sarawak's development stays on track. 'Today, Sarawak is implementing infrastructure projects worth RM30 billion, fully funded by the state government. These include the construction of 16 major bridges across Sarawak, such as the 4.8km Batang Lupar Bridge, which is the longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia, scheduled for completion by the end of this year,' he said. He also highlighted the state's unprecedented revenue growth from RM6.76 billion in 2017 to RM14.1 billion in 2024, as well as the record RM15.8 billion state budget for 2025. He attributed these achievements to Sarawak's political stability under GPS, the government's development-centric focus, and strong racial and religious harmony, which he described as the envy of other states in Malaysia. 'Let us all work together, unite our hearts and minds, and support Premier Abang Johari's efforts in leading Sarawak into a prosperous future,' he said. Among those present during the event were Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs and Ukas) Datuk Abdullah Saidol and Azam Sarawak chairman Datu William Patrick Nyigor. Azam Sarawak Douglas Uggas Embas lead pcds 2030


The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Jordan king says Israel's Iran attacks threaten region and beyond
STRASBOURG: Jordan's King Abdullah II warned in an address to the European Parliament on Tuesday that Israel's 'attacks' on Iran threatened to dangerously escalate tensions in the 'region and beyond'. Speaking as the arch foes traded fire for a fifth day, Abdullah said that 'with Israel's expansion of its offensive to include Iran, there is no telling where the boundaries of this battleground will end'. 'And that, my friends, is a threat to people everywhere,' he told lawmakers in Strasbourg. Israel says its air campaign aims to prevent its sworn enemy from acquiring nuclear weapons, an ambition Tehran denies. The escalation -- capping decades of enmity that has spiked with the war in Gaza -- has derailed nuclear talks with Iran and stoked fears of a broader conflict. Abdullah addressed lawmakers at length on the 'shameful' situation in Gaza, urging the international community to keep pressing for a resolution to the eight-decade Israeli-Palestinian conflict as critical to 'our mutual security'. 'What version of our humanity allows the unthinkable to become routine, permits weaponising famine against children, normalises the targeting of health workers, journalists and civilians seeking refuge in camps,' he asked. 'This conflict must end, and the only viable solution is one grounded in a just peace, international law and mutual recognition.' Israel has pounded most of Gaza into rubble following Hamas's attack of October 7, 2023. The death toll in the Palestinian territory has surpassed 55,000 people, the majority of them civilians.


New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- New Straits Times
Mara students head to UK, Canada, Japan after US visa policy shift
KUALA LUMPUR: Almost all of 200 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) scholars who were initially set to pursue their studies in the United States have now secured placements — or are in the final stages of admission — at top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that none of the students were left behind, stressing that the agency worked swiftly to find alternative destinations following its decision to halt new placements in the US. The suspension was due to growing uncertainty surrounding proposed visa restrictions under the administration of US President Donald Trump. "These are among our brightest students who have completed over a year of intensive preparatory training. We ensured every one of them was placed appropriately," said Asyraf during a visit to the Media Prima headquarters on Friday. Asyraf, who recently returned from a working visit to the UK, said several British universities — including the University of Edinburgh, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge and University College London — had agreed to reduce tuition fees by up to 20 per cent. "We're looking at savings of between RM105,000 and RM110,000 per student. This represents significant financial and logistical relief," he said, adding that the UK had emerged as a more stable destination for scholars in the current climate. While future cohorts will be redirected from the US, Asyraf stressed that Mara scholars already there had been advised to avoid any activities — such as political demonstrations — that could endanger their visa status. "We understand their emotional attachment to global issues like the Palestinian cause, but they must remain focused on their studies. We cannot risk having them entangled in foreign political agendas," he said. Beyond short-term contingencies, Asyraf highlighted Mara's broader efforts to future-proof its education and sponsorship policies. The agency, he said, now prioritised fields of study that aligned with long-term national development needs and evolving labour market demands, rather than simply accommodating parental preferences or academic trends. "We're asking, will this field be relevant in 10 years? Will it provide the students with meaningful, dignified employment that matches their training?" he said during an interview on Berita Harian 's Borak Hari Ini podcast. He said Malaysia's core issue was not unemployment, but underemployment — where graduates end up in jobs that do not match their qualifications. To address this, Mara has intensified collaboration with industry stakeholders to ensure that its programmes remain closely tied to market demand. "Education must go hand in hand with national economic strategy. We don't want to produce aimless graduates. Our goal is to build career pathways with purpose," he said. This strategic approach, Asyraf added, was rooted in Mara's founding mission to uplift the Bumiputera community. That vision remains central today, not only for overseas scholars but also for the 125,000 students enrolled across Mara's 344 institutions nationwide. Addressing brain drain concerns, Asyraf said Mara had adopted a pragmatic policy that allowed scholars to gain international work experience for up to three years before returning to serve the country. "There's nothing wrong with letting our students work abroad. Most will eventually come home — it's in our nature to return to our roots, our families and our culture." He added that concerns about Mara-sponsored graduates failing to return were often overstated. The agency continues to monitor their progress and holds them accountable through a structured repayment scheme. "The key is responsibility. Even those working abroad must begin repaying their loans. Some contribute as little as 10 per cent, depending on academic performance," he said.