Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman ( en, Tuanku Abdul Rahman School; abbreviated STAR) is a premier, all-boys fully
residential school in
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
funded by the Government of Malaysia. Named after the first
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong (, Jawi: ), also known as the Supreme Head of the Federation, the Paramount Ruler or simply as the Agong, and unofficially as the King of Malaysia, is the constitutional monarch and head of state of Malaysia. The of ...
(King) of the
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya ( ms, Persekutuan Tanah Melayu; Jawi script, Jawi: ) was a federation of what previously had been British Malaya comprising eleven states (nine Malay states and two of the British Empire, British Straits Settlements, P ...
, Almarhum Seri Paduka Baginda
Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad
Tuanku Sir Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad ( Jawi: ; 24 August 1895 – 1 April 1960) was the first Paramount Ruler or Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Ya ...
, it is located in
Ipoh
, image_map =
, map_caption = Location of Ipoh in Perak
, pushpin_map = #Malaysia#Asia#Earth
, pushpin_mapsize = 275px
, pushpin_map_caption = Ipoh in Malaysia
, coordinates ...
,
Perak
Perak () is a state of Malaysia on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. Perak has land borders with the Malaysian states of Kedah to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, and Selangor to the south. Thailand's ...
. The school started at an army camp in ''Baeza Avenue'' (now known as Jalan Hospital). Formerly known as Malay Secondary School, the school was built by the
Malayan government in 1957. In 2011,the school was awarded with the
Sekolah Berprestasi Tinggi
Sekolah Berprestasi Tinggi or High Performance School is a prestigious title conferred to a group of schools in Malaysia that have ethos, character and a unique identity to excel in all aspects of education. The schools have a tradition of high ...
or High Performance School title, a title awarded to schools in Malaysia that have met stringent criteria including academic achievement, strength of alumni, international recognition, network and linkages.
The beginning
In 1950s, a few hundred promising rural children who had completed their Malay primary level education, and their placement in a few selected schools in Ipoh, Pulau Pinang, Kuala Lipis, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru were chosen to be the pioneer students of the first three Malay residential secondary schools for rural children. They were planned in Ipoh, Tg. Malim, and Melaka. These schools were later known as Sekolah Tuanku Abd Rahman (STAR), Ipoh;
Sekolah Dato' Abdul Razak (SDAR), Tg. Malim; and
Sekolah Tun Fatimah
Sekolah Tun Fatimah ( en, Tun Fatimah School; abbreviated STF) is a premier all-girl boarding school (Sekolah Berasrama Penuh) located in Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. The students in the school are affectionally known as STFians. In 2010, t ...
(STF), Melaka.
In 1957, 360 of these 13–15-year-old children were placed in five old wooden military barracks vacated by the Malay Regiments, at what was then known as Baeza Avenue, Ashby Road, Ipoh (the site where Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Kinta, Jalan Hospital, Ipoh, now stands).
Initially, the military barracks; with twelve wooden classrooms, became the new students' school, known as the Malay Secondary School (MSS), Ipoh. Classrooms, sleeping quarters (dormitories), dining hall etc. were all cramped in the barracks within barbed wire fences surrounding the 4-acre site. There was no space for the school to have a hall, or a playing computer.
History
The school started on 13 January 1957, with the admission of 200 of these children into Form One. In March, another 160 joined the school to join the Remove Class. A year in what was called “Remove Class” was deemed necessary for every intake of students at the start. The purpose was to equip the students with sufficient command of English language that would enable them to commence their secondary education with English as the medium of instruction. Hence around 60-70% of the time in Remove Class was devoted to the teaching and learning of English Language. The Remove Class ceased to exist when Bahasa Malaysia was made the sole medium of instruction in secondary schools in the country in the early 1970s.
Teaching was done by a group of 15 teachers led by
En Hamdan b Sheikh Tahir (Allahyarham Tun Hamdan b Sheikh Tahir) as the first principal. Classes were conducted following the standard curriculum offered in the English medium secondary schools of the day. Associations such as the English and Malay Literary and Debating societies were set up A Boy Scout group, a Red Cross Society and a St. John Ambulance Association group were also formed. The lack of a school hall did not deter the boys from staging a school play for the town folks using another school hall at ACS Ipoh. The absence of a school field of their own did not prevent the boys from playing soccer, hockey and rugby two days a week on “borrowed” ground at the Anderson School new field. The tradition of having Annual School Sports Day was also started in the first year when on 12 July 1957, using the Anderson School field, the school held its first School Sports Day.
The official opening
On 14 May 1958, the name Malay Secondary School (MSS) gave way to the name “STAR” after the school was officially opened and renamed “Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman” Ipoh, by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
The hope and the aspiration the government placed on the school in helping the Malays were reflected by some of the words of the Yang Dipertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Education in their messages commemorating the day:
:''“The main object of your school is to impart knowledge more particularly in English and to mould character, and it is imperative that there should be schools of this kind in Malaya, if the Malays, as a race, are to be able to climb the educational ladder and to enter technical colleges and universities.”''
Yang Dipertuan Agong, Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur.
26 April 1958
:''“The official opening of this residential secondary school is an event of vital importance for all young Malay boys. Coming from kampongs all over the country they will find here every facility for training under the best conditions, providing a firm foundation for their work and study in the years to come……….As Tuanku Abdul Rahman School is the first of its kind, it can be both a spur to the ambitions of the people and an inspiration to all Malays..”''
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
, Prime Minister, Federation Of Malaya.
8 May 1958
:''“The ceremony today marks a new chapter in the history of Malay education, a milestone for the Malay secondary education, since the first primary Malay residential school was started about fifty years ago……The school, as well as the other Malay Secondary Schools and classes, have been established with the purpose of meeting the wishes and resolution of the Government and the people of independent Federation of Malaya towards raising the standard of Malay education, and through it, to attain further development of the Malay language and the improvement of the living standards of the Malays.”''
Mohd Khir Johari, Minister of Education, Federation of Malaya.
10 May 1958
The opening and renaming of the school was symbolised by the Prime Minister unveiling a brass plaque with the inscription of the school name mounted on a granite boulder placed in the roundabout in front of the main school block. The ceremony was witnessed by the whole school in the presence of many dignitaries including the Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato Abd Razak Hussain, Federal Ministers and the Menteri Besar of Perak YAB En Ghazali Jawi. The occasion was celebrated with an exhibition of handiwork put up by the boys, a mass drill and a display by a military band, a soccer match between the young school team and the junior team of the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, and a variety concert.
1957-1960s
* 2 January 1957 - MSS operated from a temporary site (a former British Army Barrack) at Baeza Avenue, Off Ashby Road, Ipoh, Perak with 360 students. The first headmaster of the school was
Tuan Hj. Hamdan Bin Sheikh Tahir.
* 6 January 1958 - the school moved to its present site along Tiger Lane, Ipoh (now Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah).
* 14 May 1958 - the official opening and renaming of the school by the first Prime Minister of Federation Of Malaya,
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
.
* The school is now known as Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, named after the first Yang Di Pertuan Agong of the Federation, His Majesty
Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Tuanku Sir Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad ( Jawi: ; 24 August 1895 – 1 April 1960) was the first Paramount Ruler or Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang d ...
.
* 23 September 1958 - royal Visit by His Majesty Yang Di Pertuan Agong
Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Tuanku Sir Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad ( Jawi: ; 24 August 1895 – 1 April 1960) was the first Paramount Ruler or Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya, eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang d ...
.
* November 1959 - the first batch of students sat the Lower Certificate of Education examination.
* January 1960 - Form Four classes started.
* November 1961 - STAR's first batch of candidates (155) sat for the combined Cambridge Overseas School Certificate/Federation of Malaya Certificate examinations.
* January 1962 - Form Six Classes started.
* November 1963 - STAR's first batch of Upper Six Classes (Arts and Science) sat for the Overseas Higher School Certificate examination.
* January 1964 - female students were admitted (STAR is a boys’ residential school) to the school joining Lower Six Science class.
* January 1965 - 13 girls were admitted to the school entering Lower Six classes.
1970s
* 1975 - school stopped the enrolment of pupils into Remove Classes
1980s
* January 1981 - enrolment of first 2nd generation Starian. Alimin Ismadi, the son of Ismail Salleh (second batch) joined Form One.
* June 1981 - official launch of Kelas Matrikulasi Sains with
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia ( 'Science University of Malaysia'; abbreviated as USM) is a public research university in Malaysia. Founded on 1 June 1969 as a statutory body with its own constitution, it is among the oldest institutes of higher l ...
.
* 1982 - Silver Jubilee.
* 15 August 1982 - Hussein Salleh (first batch) returned to the school as Principal.
Rugby
STAR was Perak state rugby champion for many years, culminating in winning the Mori Trophy in 1968. Many of the players went on to don state and national colours. The rugby's team battlecry of "''Cobra tasha, Cobra tasha, shina shina STAR''" is the embodiment of the school's spirit. In 2016, Cobratasha had become the Champion of Malaysia Super Six School Rugby. They are also one of the greatest rugby team among Malaysian schools.
Hockey
Anaconda is the STAR's hockey team. They had been one of the excellent and strongest hockey team among
Sekolah Berasrama Penuh
Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) or Fully Residential School is a school system established in Malaysia to nurture outstanding students to excel in academics and extracurricular activities. Since 2008, SBPs are directly administered by Fully Resid ...
and Schools in Malaysia. They had been crowned as the champion in many hockey tournaments between schools around Malaysia.
Debate
All- STAR Debating Union consists of two clubs which is Keluarga Debat Bahasa Melayu and English Debate Club And Society. They are one of the highly recognised Debating Team in
Sekolah Berasrama Penuh
Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) or Fully Residential School is a school system established in Malaysia to nurture outstanding students to excel in academics and extracurricular activities. Since 2008, SBPs are directly administered by Fully Resid ...
. The English Debate Club And Society which is the English debating club of STAR Ipoh had joined and won many national and international debate competitions. The Keluarga Debat Bahasa Melayu is the Malay debating club of STAR Ipoh had won in numerous competitions in Malaysia. The All-STAR Debating Union IS one of the most successful and excellent clubs in the school.
Events
STAR Old Boys Weekend
''STAR Old Boys Weekend (OBW)'' is an annual event organised by the school alumni which called as STAR Old Boys Association (STAROBA). During this event, all oldboys will come to this event to meet their batch mates and members during their study at the school. This event is held at the school.
Notable alumni
The alumni or old boys of the school are affiliated to ''STAROBA'', the Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman Old Boys’ Association. The society is involved in activities like Old Boys Weekend and other sporting events involving alumni of other schools. The current president of the association is Faizal Othman.
Notable alumni include:
* KC Nazari - Standup comedian
* Faizal Othman - Former CEO
Indah Water Konsortium
Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd. (doing business as Indah Water or IWK) is a Malaysian national wastewater and sanitation company. It is a government-owned company under the Minister of Finance Incorporated, which has the task of developing and ...
and current STAROBA President
* Shahrul Zaman Yahya - President of
Malaysian Rugby Union
Malaysian Rugby, formerly known as Malaysian Rugby Union ''( Malay: Kesatuan Ragbi Malaysia)'' is the governing body for rugby union in Malaysia. It was founded in 1921 and joined the International Rugby Football Board, later known as the Interna ...
* Badrul Hisyam Bin Abu Bakar - CEO
Maybank
Malayan Banking Berhad (doing business as Maybank) is a Malaysian universal bank, with key operating "home markets" of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. According to the 2020 Brand Finance report, Maybank is Malaysia's most valuable bank b ...
Asset Management
* Dato' Abdul Rahman Bin Ahmad - Group CEO
CIMB
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad () is a Malaysian universal bank headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and operating in high growth economies in ASEAN. CIMB Group is an indigenous ASEAN investment bank. CIMB has a wide retail branch network with 1,080 bran ...
* Kamarul Ariffin Bin Mohd Jamil - Group CEO
Affin Bank
Affin Bank Berhad d.b.a. AFFIN BANK () is the financial holding company of Affin Islamic Bank Berhad, Affin Hwang Investment Bank Berhad, Affin Moneybrokers Sdn Bhd and AXA AFFIN Life Insurance Berhad. AXA AFFIN General Insurance Berhad is an ass ...
* Sulaiman Mohd Tahir - Group CEO of
AmBank
AmBank Group comprises AMMB Holdings Berhad (AMBANK 1015) is one of the largest banking groups in Malaysia whose core businesses are retail banking, wholesale banking, Islamic banking, and life and general insurance.
The Group trades under a ...
*
Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof
Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan bin Md Yusof ( Jawi: محمد رضوان بن مد يوسف) is a Malaysian politician who served as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Special Functions in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under ...
- Former
Minister of Entrepreneur Development
*
Md Raus Sharif
Tun Mohamed Raus bin Sharif ( ms, محمد روس بن شريف, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; born 4 February 1951) is a retired Malaysian lawyer who served as the eighth Chief Justice of Malaysia from 1 April 2017 until 31 July 2 ...
- Former
Chief Justice of Malaysia
*
Awang Adek Hussin
Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek bin Hussin (born 18 May 1956) is a Malaysian politician and diplomat. He is the former Malaysian Ambassador to the United States. He was the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Bachok constituency in Kelan ...
- Former Ambassador of Malaysia to the United States of America and Former Deputy
Ministry of Finance (Malaysia)
The Ministry of Finance ( ms, Kementerian Kewangan), abbreviated MOF, is a ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is charged with the responsibility for government expenditure and revenue raising. The ministry's role is to develop economic po ...
*
Hamzah Zainuddin - Former Deputy Minister of
Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (Malaysia)
The Ministry of Plantation and Commodities ( ms, Kementerian Perladangan dan Komoditi) is a Ministry (government department), ministry of the Government of Malaysia that is responsible for overseeing the development of the main commodities of Mala ...
*
Idris Jusoh
Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Haji Idris bin Jusoh ( Jawi: إدريس بن جوسوه; born 15 November 1955) is a Malaysian politician who has served as Chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) since May 2020. He served as the Mini ...
- Former
Terengganu
Terengganu (; Terengganu Malay: ''Tranung'', Jawi: ), formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu, is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, ''Dāru l- Īmān'' ("Abode of Faith"). ...
chief minister, Former Chairman of MARA (
Majlis Amanah Rakyat
The Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA; ms, People's Trust Council) is a Malaysian government agency. It was formed to aid, train, and guide Bumiputra (Malay people, Malays and other indigenous Malaysians) in the areas of business and industry. MARA ...
), Former Education and Higher Learning Minister II
*
Annuar Musa
Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Annuar bin Musa ( Jawi: أنور بن موسى; born 18 May 1956) is a Malaysian politician who served as the Minister of Communications and Multimedia in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former ...
- Former
Minister of Youth and Sports[http://ifoto.penerangan.gov.my/html/fjpen6/main.php?g2_view=slideshow.Slideshow&g2_itemId=2325771 ]
*
Mohd Zaid Ibrahim - Prominent Malaysian lawyer, Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of legal affairs and judicial reforms
*
Abdul Samad Alias - Former President of the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants, President of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants
*
Abdullah Hassan - Malay Language Professor
*
Muzili Aznor Musa - Presiden Kelab Penyokong Liverpool FC (LFC)
*
Zainal Kling - Emeritus Professor, Former President of Malaysian Social Science Association and Head of History and Sociocultural Cluster for Majlis Profesor Negara (MPN)
References
External links
* https://staroba.org.my
* https://www.staripoh.edu.my
{{Coord missing, Malaysia
Educational institutions established in 1957
1957 establishments in Malaya
Boys' schools in Malaysia