KUALA KANGSAR: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaana (SMK) Clifford and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Clifford achieved a historic first by receiving a bus for the first time since their establishment 127 years ago.
The bus, worth over RM576,000, was an initiative driven by the Clifford School Alumni Association Kuala Kangsar (OCA Clifford).
The bus inauguration ceremony was officiated today by Raja Di-Hilir Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Idris Shah, who is also the patron of OCA Clifford.
OCA Clifford president Prof Adjutant Datuk Sallehuddin Saidin said the bus gift was a result of efforts to collect donations from the school community and OCA Clifford members, led by the "OCA Batch 1973" since October 2022.
He said that a portion of the cost of purchasing the Hino bus was also covered by an allocation of RM300,000 provided personally by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister.
"Since the establishment of SK Clifford in 1897, almost 127 years ago, and similarly since SMK Clifford was established (in 1913), this is the first time we have obtained a bus for the use of the school community.
"Students of both schools have priority in using the bus as well as for special rental to OCA members.
"The fundraising launch for the purchase of the bus was held on Oct 29, 2022. After the targeted period of one year, the fundraising efforts, particularly among OCA members, raised approximately RM300,000.
"Several efforts were made to realise the school's desire to own a bus. This included a request to the finance minister. The request was approved with a sum of RM300,000," he said in his speech at the ceremony.
The bus inauguration ceremony was also attended by the MP for Kuala Kangsar Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, Director of the Perak State Education Department Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Mahson, Political Secretary to the Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim and Kuala Kangsar District Officer Muhammad Nazri Abdullah.
The ceremony also witnessed Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain launching the official OCA website, renaming the courtyard within the premises of SMK Clifford to "Dataran OCA", and launching a coffee table book titled Melentur Buluh Biarlah Dari Rebungnya.
He also witnessed XoX Berhad (XoX) demonstrate its commitment to corporate social responsibility by donating WiFi set packages and six-month WiFi plans worth RM25,950 to 50 economically disadvantaged Clifford students to support their online learning.
The principal of SMK Clifford Lutfi Mohd Noor expressed his appreciation in his speech at the ceremony, stating that the use of the bus was greatly needed by the school, especially since SMK Clifford was known for its leadership in football and hockey. He added that the bus would help their transport needs for attending events.
"We appreciate the meaningful initiative undertaken by OCA Clifford for the convenience of the school community and its shared use."