KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim returned to his alma mater High School Bukit Mertajam today, where he once walked its halls in the early 1960s.
The visit sparked a wave of nostalgia for Anwar, who fondly recalled his time at the school from 1961 to 1962 before he moved on to further his studies at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar.
"I had the opportunity to meet and greet the school community, especially the students and teachers, as I passed through the gates, the assembly area, the classrooms, and other parts of the school," he said in a Facebook posting today.
He said it was not his first return to the school, as he had previously visited in 1987 during his tenure as the education minister.
The visit, he said, was to assess the damage after a fire and to offer support to the teachers and students affected by the incident.
Anwar said it was important to master Science, Mathematics, and English for national development.
He also reminded the students of the enduring value of mutual respect.
Before concluding his visit, Anwar announced a special allocation of RM225,000 for the construction of a surau and an additional RM275,000 for other maintenance works at SMK Tinggi Bukit Mertajam.