Najib opens Razak Science Centre at Malvern College

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described the opening of the Razak Science Centre at the Malvern College, here, Monday as an honour not only for him and his family alone but also for every Malaysians.

“It is an honour not only for me and my family but also Malaysians,” he said in his address before jointly declaring open the centre with his younger brother Datuk Johari at the college, here, Worcestershire, about 220km from London.

Najib pursued his secondary education at the college from 1968 and 1971 and Johari also studied there later.

Sharing his nostalgia with the Malaysian media, Najib said he went to the college at the age of 14 and that was the first time he went overseas.

“I was a shy boy and had never left Malaysia before. I really didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

Najib said the reason why his late father, Tun Razak Hussein, sent him there was because he did not want him to be spoilt or pampered as he (Najib) could possibly be treated differently if he studied in Malaysia.

"My father wanted me to be independent and develop my character," said Najib, adding that his father had always wanted him to be treated like any ordinary student there.

The prime minister said he managed to adapt to the situation at the college although it was a big shock for him in the early stage.

"Studying in a different environment and culture had taught me how to adapt with the situation.

"I feel equally at ease when speaking with Obama, (US President Barack Obama), Cameron (British Prime Minister David Cameron) and Xi Jinping (Chinese President)," he said.

Najib said the experience had also taught him to easily adapt himself when he went to the United Nations, Buckingham Palace or long house.

Asked about his sweetest and bitter memories at the college, Najib said: “My sweetest memory was when I scored five goals during sports houses football matches and the bitter memory was when I had to sleep at a mountain during a training in winter. I could not sleep at all,".

The college founded in 1865 is an independent co-educational boarding and day school which celebrated its 150 years of establishment yesterday.

Razak Science Centre consists of 18 state-of-the-art laboratories including a showcase laboratory and extra prep rooms.

Malvern College headmaster Antony Clark said the new facility could provide a springboard for aspiring young scientists to contribute further to national and international initiatives in years to come.

Najib’s former economics teacher Simon Wilkinson, 75, who was present at the event said he remembered Najib as a good student and a great footballer.

“I have great admiration for him and I am proud of him,” he said.

The college currently has 360 students, including four Malaysians, and according to Malaysian Junyi Kwan, 18, who is currently doing his “A” level, it was great to see the prime minister return to his former college.

Najib and his brother Johari also visited the House No 2 hostel where Najib had stayed during his school days and had lunch with the college staff and guests there.

The Prime Minister arrived here yesterday from Riyadh after attending the funeral of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia who passed away on Friday.

Najib who was supposed to attend the World Economic forum in Davos from Jan 22 to 24, had to cut short his trip to pay his last respects to the late King Abdullah.

“The relationship with Saudi Arabia is very important and I have a very good relationship with King Abdullah. He (King Abdullah) had bestowed me with the King Abdulaziz Order of Merit (First Class) in 2010," said Najib adding that he had also congratulated King Salman Abdulaziz as the new ruler, during his trip to Riyadh.