Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur

History

MBSSKL was founded by Rev. Dr. William T. Kensett, a Royal Navy medical officer of the battleship HMS Orion. In July 1897, he had the intention of establishing a church and school for the Tamil community in Kuala Lumpur and he left the British Navy. A small wooden shop house was acquired on the corner of Batu Road and Java Street, and the Tamil-dominated school was named the Anglo-Tamil school.

In 1899, Rev. Samuel Abraham became its first headmaster, leading a staff of four teachers. It was then registered as a government-aided school.

Three years later, the MBSSKL proper was founded by Rev. W. E. Horley at the temporary premises of an unused pork market in Malacca Street. The Anglo-Tamil School was absorbed into it, opening up the school to all races.

In 1904, the school decided to move to Petaling Hill (its present site) after several relocations by the sanitary board due to the dilapidated condition of the building. Thus the Anglo-Tamil school was renamed as the Methodist Boys' School Kuala Lumpur by Rev William E Horley, the name used to this day. Within eight months, sufficient funds were raised to erect a new building. Two new wings were built and playing fields laid.

In 1954, 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys' Brigade Company was established at the school by Mr. Khoo Oon Soo and Mr. R. A. Allen. After the first few years, 1st KL was moved to the Wesley Church just next door to the school, while the school used the church premises as the first meeting place. 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys' Brigade Company is the third oldest group in Malaysia and the first oldest group in Kuala Lumpur. 1st KL is known due to its history in the results of band competitions, foot marches and Talent Time at the national level. 1st KL also produced a collection of President's Men and Founder's Men, as well as two Queen's Men.

In 1958, this school was divided into secondary schools (MBSSKL) and primary schools (MBPSKL) according to the national education policy at that time.

MBS anthem

The School Song was composed in 1948 by former principal, Hugh F. Clancy. The music was harmonised by N.Swan, in the same year. The song was adapted from the originally titled "Go Northwestern Go", written in 1912 by Theodore Van Etten, a member of the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band then. The school anthem was sung over Radio Malaya in 1949 by the school choir.

Former principals

Co-curricular

Uniform bodies

There are 10 uniformed bodies in the school as of 2023. Some examples are:

10th Kuala Lumpur Air Scout Group

10th Kuala Lumpur Air Scouts was established in 1915 and absorbed 15th Kuala Lumpur Scouts Troop after the second World War.

1st Kuala Lumpur Boys' Brigade Company

Founded by Mr. Khoo Onn Soo and Mr. R. A. Allen under the sponsorship of Wesley Methodist Church, Kuala Lumpur in 1954. 1st Kuala Lumpur Boys Brigade was the third company to be established in Malaysia and the first company to be established in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur No.6 Ambulance Cadet Division of St. John Ambulance Malaysia

KLN6ACD is a division under St. John Ambulance of Malaysia, part of an international voluntary service organisation dedicated to training and providing first aid skills. The division has had numerous achievements in competitions at the state and national levels, and continues to be a major contributor in voluntary first aid service within the school as well as the public through duties coordinated by the State Officers.

Sports house

School Uniform

Alumni association

The alumni association of MBSSKL is known as MBSalumni, previously known as MBSOBA (Methodist Boys' School Old Boys Association). Its first documented meeting was in 1919. It was set up with the objective of providing a platform for all former students to keep in touch with each other and also to maintain contact with the school.

Notable alumni

Academician

• Chin Hoong Fong – Professor Emeritus, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Business

• Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay – Chairman, Genting Group and Star Cruises

Law

• Lai Kew Chai – Former Supreme Court of Singapore Judge

Public service

• Cheong Choong Kong – Chairman of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Singapore and former CEO of Singapore Airlines
• Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain – Director-General of the Malaysian Border Security Agency

Politics

• Dato' Haji Abdul Rahman Talib – Former Transport Minister of Malaysia
• Dato Syed Hamid Albar – Former Home Minister of Malaysia
• Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat – 8th President of the Malaysian Chinese Association, former Transport Minister of Malaysia
• Ong Pang Boon – Former Minister for Education of Singapore, was a prominent first-generation member of the People's Action Party (PAP)
• Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin – Former Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being of Malaysia

Media and entertainment

• Awal Ashaari – Actor and TV host
• Faizal Hussein – Actor and TV host

Medical

• Noor Hisham Abdullah – Endocrine surgeon and former Director General of Health of the Malaysian Ministry of Health, since 1 March 2013

References

References

1. (4 July 2017). "Popular principal bids farewell after 12 years". The Star.
2. MBS Centenary Commemorative Book.
3. "About Us | 10th KL Air Scouts".
4. ":::1st Kuala Lumpur Boys' Brigade Company::: - About Us".
5. linktr.ee/BOSC_MBSSKL. "KOPERASI MBSSKL".
6. M, Bavani. (25 July 2006). "Old boys stay true to school". The Star.