Kepala Batas: The Kepala Batas MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) has been renamed Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi MRSM in a ceremony held at the college today to honour Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki emphasized Abdullah’s leadership and support for MARA’s efforts in expanding the roles of its institutes, including MARA professional colleges, GIATMARA, and MRSMs. Although naming the college after the former prime minister does not fully repay his contributions, it serves to commemorate and honor him, especially in his former parliamentary constituency of Kepala Batas.
“After Abdullah’s death, I reached out to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and suggested renaming Kepala Batas MRSM to recognize and honor Abdullah, particularly on behalf of Kepala Batas residents,” Asyraf stated during his speech at the ceremony. The Prime Minister agreed, noting similar suggestions from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, officiated the ceremony. Attendees included Abdullah’s son Kamaludin and other family members, Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, and Reezal Merican.
Asyraf highlighted that the college was among the first to introduce the Ulul Albab programme, proposed by Abdullah, which formed the basis of a dual education system combining spiritual and worldly knowledge. “To this day, MARA has eight Ulul Albab MRSMs in the country thanks to Abdullah’s brainchild,” he added. The programme nurtures huffaz students who excel academically while cultivating their integrity and leadership skills rooted in Islamic values.
MARA also stated that the MRSM began operating on March 1, 2007, with the first intake of 359 students on April 16, 2007, marking a milestone in expanding Bumiputera education access in northern Malaysia. The renaming of the college pays special tribute to a distinguished leader who contributed significantly to religion, race, and country.
Abdullah served as Kepala Batas MP from 1978 to 2008.