K KANGSAR POLLS Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced that Kolej Universiti Islam Sultan Azlan Shah (Kuisas) has been granted the status of a public university with immediate effect.

Najib, who is also Umno president, made the announcement in his speech before performing Friday prayers at Masjid Kuisas in Kuala Kangsar.

"For the continuity of Kuala Kangsar town, which is the oldest Malay education town in Malaysia, it is my pleasure to announce Kuisas as a full university.

"With this announcement, Kuisas will receive a federal government grant with immediate effect," he said.

In this regard, Najib said Kuisas would use the name Universiti Azlan Shah Malaysia (Usas) and would receive an annual government grant.

However, he did not disclose the amount of the annual grant.

Also performing the Friday prayers with Najib were Perak Menteri Besar Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the four children of the BN candidate for the Kuala Kangsar by-election on June 18, Wan Emir Astar, Wan Imar, Wan Iskandar and Wan Amar.

Kuisas began operations in 1999 and was known as Kolej Islam Darul Ridzuan before being upgraded to a university college in 2013.

Upgrading Kuisas into a public university is one of the five agendas promised by the BN candidate, Mastura Mohd Yazid, to the voters in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election.

- Bernama