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Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s elite and the state-funded schools that shaped them

Harry November 3, 2024

a shining one Enver Ibrahim Last week, he watched with pride as his alma mater’s band filled the air with music at an anniversary event for a power company in Malaysia. The scene where clarinet, saxophone and tuba played in harmony reminded us of the prime minister’s past in a nostalgic way.

Founded in 1905 in the small town of Kuala Kangsar, Malay College is no ordinary institution. This taxpayer-funded but Malays-only boarding school was designed after his example. England‘s exclusive Eton College. It was designed to prepare the sons of Malay aristocrats for future leadership roles. Anwar, who attended between 1960 and 1966, became the second prime minister to graduate from these halls, following in the footsteps of independence hero Tun Abdul Razak.

In a rare public reflection on his time there in March 2023, Anwar shared that he learned the discipline from “exceptional teachers.”

“Although it was a Malay college, the teachers who sacrificed and contributed so much for us were Malay, Chinese and Indian teachers,” he said, emphasizing the love and support they showed without prejudice.

Malay College Kuala Kangsar. Photo: Facebook/Malay College Kuala Kangsar

The university’s alumni list reads like a who’s who of Malaysia’s elite. Six of Malaysia’s 17 kings and Henry III. Omar Ali Saifuddien studied here. BruneiHassanal Bolkiah, father of the current sultan.