Video Shows Malaysia's Second Oldest School In A Horrible, "Shameful" State
A sad state for a school that is going to celebrate its 190th anniversary in December.
By Tang Ruxyn — 07 Nov 2016, 12:44 PM
Malaysians were shocked to discover today that one of the nation's most iconic schools is in a bad shape
A video that was uploaded to Facebook by one Jeffrey Choe Han Boon yesterday, 6 November, has revealed that Malacca High School's (MHS) current condition is nothing to be proud of as the school's hall is in a terrible state.
The video showed that the parquet flooring has been damaged and the ceiling looked like it could fall anytime.
Given the hazardous condition of the school, it's rather worrying since the facility is believed to be still accessible with no indication of ongoing repair works.
"What is happening at Malacca High School, the second oldest school in Malaysia? No longer a school for academic excellence... cannot even maintain facilities properly. School in shameful condition!" Jeffrey wrote in the caption.
MHS is considered to be one of the most prestigious schools in Malaysia but Jeffrey, a fellow alumni, was sad to see what his alma mater has become
A man that was featured in the said video has apparently begged people for donations every day.
Towards the end of the 38-second long video, the man was heard saying, "Do they have no money anymore?", as he and two other people looked around, observing the condition of the hall.
Founded on 7 December 1826, MHS, or SMK Tinggi Melaka as it is now known, is the second oldest institution in Malaysia after Penang Free School.
It has produced many prominent individuals in the country, including Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, the former Chief Minister of Malacca, Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, and first MCA president Tun Tan Cheng Lock, amongst others.
Netizens, particularly those who are part of the MHS' alumni, were horrified at the discovery
Over the years, there have been proposals to relocate MHS from its historic premise
Regarded as one of the premier schools in Malaysia, MHS has moved premises twice in 1884 and 1931, and eventually to its current location in Jalan Chan Koon Cheng, Malacca.
The proposal to relocate MHS was first mooted in 1993. 21 years later, in 2014, there was yet another suggestion to shift MHS again. On both occasions, the proposals were axed following the public's outcry, especially from various stakeholders such as the alumni and educational activists in the state.
The school is situated within the UNESCO heritage site, and critics have constantly voiced out their strong opposition against relocation as the heritage and historic values of the school should be put ahead of commercial development.