Penang Free School, National Archives to collaborate to preserve school relics

GEORGE TOWN: The oldest school in Malaysia will be collaborating with the National Archives (Arkib Negara) to preserve school relics and old documents.
Arkib Negara director-general Azemi Abdul Aziz said Penang Free School (PFS), founded in 1816, contained many historical treasures, which should be preserved for future generations.
He said one of them was the students’ register, the articles of establishment for the school dated to 1885 and several collections of photographs from the 1900s.
“Arkib Negara will be offering our expertise to PFS so these relics can be stored properly,” he said after signing a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with PFS headmaster Omar Abdul Rashid.
This is the first time Arkib Negara is cooperating with a school to preserve historical documents and artefacts.
For PFS, the documents and relics will be kept at an archive room at the school, which was established in the 1980s but will be upgraded with the advice of Arkib Negara.
Azemi said the details will be worked out in the near future and that they were willing to share their expertise in keeping such items.
“The MOC is valid for three years and will be renewed upon expiry,” he added.
Omar meanwhile said he was happy with the willingness of Arkib Negara in assisting the school to document and preserve history.
“I feel honoured and happy, I think the preservation of history is important and must be done systemically so future generations can benefit,” he said.
The school was founded by Reverend Robert S. Hutchings and had celebrated its 200th anniversary last year.
Among the noted PFS alumni was the first Malaysian Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and second Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Lim Chong Eu.
Those who have also studied there include the late Malaysian Supreme Court Judge Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader, four time All England champion Datuk Eddy Choong, and Malaysian silver screen legend Tan Sri P. Ramlee.