Maktab Rendah Sultan abu Bakar (MSAB) or better known as English college (EC), has produced numerous leaders in the country, among them his Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. — THOMAS YONG / THE STAR
NOT many schools in Malaysia can boast of its proud tradition in creating notable figures that have shaped and led Malaysia except for Maktab Rendah Sultan Abu Bakar (MSAB) or better known as English College (EC).
The school lived to its slogan of “EC must lead” with its former students achieving remarkable success from being a business tycoon, mentri besar, ministers, deputy prime ministers, a prime minister, sultans and two Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
EC, which is one of the premier schools in Johor, was founded by the father of modern Johor, Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar Ibni Almarhum Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim.
Almarhum Sultan Sir Abu Bakar always emphasised the importance of education to the people in Johor during his reign, which continues to this day.
Maktab Rendah Sultan abu Bakar (MSAB) or better known as English college (EC), has produced numerous leaders in the country, among them his Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. — THOMAS YONG / THE STAR
According to local historian Kamdi Kamil, EC was established on March 21, 1914, with 21 students selected from Sekolah Bukit Zaharah in Johor Baru.
“The school education system was based on English public school and it adopted the British syllabus and it later became a model for other English medium schools in Johor.
“The students were placed under the tutelage of two teachers brought over from England at the school’s original location along Straits View here,” he added.
Kamdi also said that by the end of 1930, the school then moved to its present location at Jalan Sungai Chat here.
“However, during the Second World War under the Japanese occupation, the Japanese army turned the school into a weapon factory and changed the painting of its building from white to black,” he added.
Kamdi said during EC early formation years, students that were selected to enter EC was due to academic results as once they completed their education, they would then join the Johor civil service.
“This actually created the school’s foundation, which has become its DNA more than 100 years on with EC always emphasising academic and sporting activities to instil leadership qualities in their students.
“It is not that easy to be an EC student as they can only join the school if they have great academic results,” he added.
Kamdi said this is what makes EC different and special from other schools as it never changes how it educates students, which creates many leaders for both Johor and Malaysia.
“The school is well known for its distinguished and excellent products in all aspects including educating influential and colourful figures in Malaysia’s history.
“Among the well-known EC alumni is His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail.
“Other famous EC old boys also included Malaysia’s third prime minister Tun Hussein Onn, deputy prime ministers Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun Musa Hitam, tycoon Robert Kuok, well-known writer Adibah Amin, and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who was Sultan Ibrahim’s classmate during their time in EC,” he added.
Kamdi, who is also the school former parents teachers association chairman, said when EC celebrated its centenary celebrations in 2014, he wrote a book for the school which published its 100 most influential former students where it ranked Sultan Ibrahim in the top spot.
“I do believe that EC will continue with its proud heritage of creating leaders for the country as the school has been successful in doing it for more than 100 years now,” he added.
