01/02/2026

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday FEB 1, 2026

Queen honours students who made nation proud KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia Raja Zarith Sofiah presented certificates of appreciation to 28 Malaysian students who brought pride to the nation through their achievements in international English-language competitions. According to a post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page, the recognition was conferred during an audience at Dewan Seri Temenggong in Istana Negara on Thursday. Also present were Istana Negara Comptroller of Royal Household Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani and Grand Chamberlain Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini. The students, from diverse backgrounds across the country, had won international English competitions in countries including Italy, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Singapore. Among the recipients were Evangeline Khoo and Liew Erynn from Kuala Lumpur, winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition in London in 2024. The duo had earlier received recognition from Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace. “We never imagined that a single essay would allow us to meet two queens in our lifetime. Today, we were honoured to enter Istana Negara and receive recognition from Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia. “This is indeed the highest and most special honour of our lives,” they told the Royal Press Office. Meanwhile, Sarawakian Darrel Nathaneal Buko Desmond, who won a gold medal at the Global English Language Olympiad of Southeast Asia 2025 in Incheon, South Korea, said the recognition would motivate him to continue pursuing knowledge. He also urged fellow students to challenge themselves at the international level. “Do not be afraid to fail. Failure is the starting point of success. Take part in as many competitions as possible to develop yourself and gain meaningful life experiences,” he said. – Bernama

King opens iconic building after preservation works KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim yesterday graced a ceremony for the completion of Phase 1 of the preservation of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (SASB). His Majesty arrived at about 10am and was welcomed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. programme, an initiative of Warisan Kuala Lumpur. The building was originally known as the Secretariat Building and served as the administrative centre of the nation before being renamed the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in honour of the late Sultan Abdul Samad ibni Almarhum Raja Abdullah, the Sultan of Selangor during the era of its construction. The preservation effort marks the first completed phase of a comprehensive move to preserve the complex, with preservation works maintaining its status as a Category 1 National Heritage Site while enhancing safety, accessibility and the overall visitor experience.

Visitors are able to enjoy a range of facilities at SASB, including exhibition spaces and interactive galleries, a one-stop visitor information centre, experiential retail and craft-making spaces, halls and rentable event venues as well as food and beverage services. SASB Block 1 will be open to the public from tomorrow, exactly one year after preservation works began last year, with the galleries open daily from 9am to 6pm. To commemorate the opening, admission to the Kuala Lumpur Gallery at Dataran Merdeka will be free for the first month. – Bernama

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The ceremony commenced with a performance by the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, followed by a doa selamat and Anwar’s speech. The historic event marked the opening of Block 1 of the Complex in Jalan Raja, following the completion of 12 months of preservation works carried out under the Warisan Khazanah Fund

SASB has borne witness to many significant moments in the nation’s history, including the lowering of the Union Jack and the first hoisting of the Federation of Malaya flag in 1957 at the area now known as Dataran Merdeka. The building also witnessed the proclamation of Kuala Lumpur as a city in 1972 and later as a federal territory in 1974 following the consent of the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah for the transfer of Kuala Lumpur from Selangor to the federal government.

The King, accompanied by Anwar, being briefed on the improvements to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building Complex yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF SULTAN IBRAHIM SULTAN ISKANDAR FACEBOOK PAGE

View heritage as strategic asset, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Heritage should not be viewed as a burden but as a strategic asset capable of generating tourism, driving the creative industry, creating job opportunities and strengthening the local business ecosystem, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the revitalisation of heritage buildings is among the key strategies to boost international and domestic tourist arrivals. Citing the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (SASB) in Jalan Raja as an example, Anwar, who is also Finance minister, said its preservation is not an effort to relive nostalgia but an initiative to ensure that history continues to live on, be understood and serve as a guide in facing future challenges. “This effort is at the core of the Warisan KL initiative, a strategic approach by the government to revitalise Kuala Lumpur’s key heritage sites as catalysts for culture-based urban economic development.” He was speaking at a ceremony to mark the completion of Phase 1 of the SASB preservation initiative yesterday, Bernama reported. Anwar said the preservation effort is aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026 as the country is not only known for its

“I am confident that SASB and this entire historic complex would continue to reflect the nation’s identity, a country that is advanced and progressive, yet remains connected to its historical roots, developing not only through economic strength but also through soul, values and humanity.” Anwar said the presence of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim was not solely to grace the ceremony but symbolised a reminder that the nation’s journey remains anchored in history, guided by values and protected by the institution of the Constitutional Monarchy. “I would like to express my appreciation to all parties involved in making this effort a success, especially the team from Khazanah Nasional Berhad as well as all the ministries and government agencies involved.”

‘Revitalisation of culturally-important buildings among key strategies to boost tourist arrivals, ensure history continues to live on’

at structures alone. Heritage buildings must be brought to life.” He said SASB would house the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, which traces the journey of the building and the capital city through five themed spaces spanning three centuries of history. He added that the Royal Selangor Gallery would showcase pewter craftsmanship as a reflection of the economic legacy, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Kuala Lumpur, rooted in the city’s tin mining history.

natural beauty and cultural diversity but also for the strength of its historical and civilisational narrative that shapes the country. “As stated in Budget 2026, the project covers all six blocks of the SASB complex, Seri Negara and Carcosa at Bukit Carcosa. “We must also ensure that the people are able to enjoy these facilities. The preservation of SASB is among the early manifestations that can be seen and experienced by the public. “However, preservation cannot stop