Penang Free School will retain its name as this has been approved by the Education Ministry.

The announcement was made by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, who is also an Old Frees Association member, in his speech during the bicentenary dinner of the school in George Town last night.

"I would like to announce that the school will retain its name. The school will not be called SMK Penang Free but will be called as Penang Free School until the end of time," Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said in his speech.

Penang Free School, the oldest English medium school in Malaysia and South-East Asia, celebrated its 200-year anniversary yesterday and more than 3,000 alumni and former teachers gathered at the school field for their grand gala dinner. 

The gathering had gained the National Book of Records as the largest alumni gathering in the country, with 3,130 registered attendees.

The bicentenary celebration was planned by its Bicentenary Committee chairperson, Abdul Rafique Abdul Karim, since 2011 and alumni from across the globe had come back to the school for the celebration.

In conjunction with the celebration, a stamp line with the image of the school, together with a time capsule that is to be opened in 50 years' time, has been launched.

Meanwhile, the 200-year-old school is also waiting to get the approval from the National Heritage Department on its heritage status.

- Bernama