Rename MRSM to Kinabalu Ranau – Masidi

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 20): Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun suggested to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to rename the Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM) Ranau to MRSM Kinabalu Ranau.

Masidi made the suggestion at the handing over ceremony of MRSM Ranau from Petronas to MARA on Monday.

“The State Government expresses its gratitude to Petronas for choosing Ranau as the site for the MRSM which to me, is one of the most beautiful in the country.

“Geographically, the MRSM Ranau is the highest in Malaysia and because of its location in the highlands of Sabah, I suggested to MARA chairman Datuk Wira Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki to consider renaming the educational institution as MRSM Kinabalu Ranau.

“This is symbolic of the majestic Mount Kinabalu and also a sign of respect to the Kadazan Dusun community who reside around Mount Kinabalu and the MRSM. People have always named schools after influential individuals but I am more inclined towards God’s creations and the most majestic one in Sabah is Mount Kinabalu,” said Masidi.

This, he opined, could be the aspiration for the rakyat in Sabah to excel in the field of education.

Dr Asyraf when asked to comment on Masidi’s suggestion, said that he would be bringing the matter up to the attention of MARA’s council and the Rural and Regional Development Minister.

“Renaming of the educational institution needs to go through a process but Masidi’s suggestion is a good one that takes into consideration the sentiment and historical aspect of the Kadazan Dusun community.

“The MRSM was constructed in Ranau after taking into consideration the aspiration to assist as many students as possible from among the local community in Ranau and its surrounding areas so that they can be part of the MRSM system that has proven itself in the aspect of human capital development in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects,” he said.

Dr Asyraf disclosed that the first intake of 180 students in MRSM Mara Ranau will start on March 4, 2024.

“When I became MARA chairman, I made it a priority to expand to Sabah and Sarawak as this is one way we can transform, improve and strengthen our education system,” he said when asked if there are plans to develop more MRSM in Sabah.

The MRSM Ranau is the fifth one in Sabah.