Kampung kenang: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today officially opened Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat (SMAR) Orang Asli Nurul Hidayah in Kampung Kenang, Sungai Siput Utara, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen education and human capital development among the Orang Asli community in the state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ceremony was attended by the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, and the Raja Di Hilir Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah. Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini, and Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) director Datuk Harith Fadzilah Abdul Halim.
In his speech, Sultan Nazrin emphasized that SMAR Nurul Hidayah, the first SMAR Orang Asli in the country, serves as a catalyst for change within the Orang Asli community of Kampung Kenang. He highlighted that the establishment of the school marks an important milestone in empowering human capital development and Islamic education among the Orang Asli community in Perak. Initially starting as a dakwah and fardu ain learning centre, it has evolved into a comprehensive educational institution offering an integrated curriculum of academic and religious education.
Sultan Nazrin noted the school's legacy and success over more than three decades in uplifting the Orang Asli community, particularly in Perak. He described the school's establishment as a major investment in securing a brighter future for Orang Asli children, reflecting MAIPk's commitment to ensuring equal access to education for every child, regardless of background or geographical location.
The Sultan praised the school's role in Perak's educational landscape, emphasizing its success in producing knowledgeable individuals while preserving faith, syariah values, and moral character. He expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the students, noting that some former students have returned to serve the community, contributing to advancing education and awareness within the Orang Asli community in the state.
Sultan Nazrin expressed hope that the new infrastructure at SMAR Nurul Hidayah will inspire educators to improve teaching quality and motivate students to pursue knowledge with greater determination. He stressed the importance of nurturing future generations of Orang Asli who excel academically and possess strong religious values, noble character, and leadership qualities.
The Sultan further emphasized that education is a comprehensive process of developing individual potential to produce knowledgeable, ethical, and responsible citizens. He highlighted education as the primary key to unlocking progress, shaping character, strengthening identity, and elevating the dignity of society. Sultan Nazrin described education as an integrated process that involves teaching, guiding, and nurturing individuals to develop character grounded in knowledge and religious values for the benefit of themselves and society.