He said the Education Ministry had approved the retention of the school’s name, Bernama reported.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, an Old Free, and patron of the Old Frees Association, made the announcement in his speech at the school’s bicentenary dinner on Friday night.
More than 3,000 old boys and former teachers attended the dinner, the highlight of celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the school’s founding by Rev R. S Hutchings.
“I would like to announce that the school will retain its name. The school will not be called SMK Penang Free School but will be called as Penang Free School until the end of time,” Tuanku Sirajuddin said in his speech.
Penang Free School is the oldest English medium school to be founded in Malaysia and South East Asia.
Last night’s dinner was entered into the Malaysia 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 chairman, 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, Pos Malaysia issued a commemorative stamp and first day cover. A time capsule, to be opened in 50 years’ time, was also buried on the school grounds.
The 200-year-old school is awaiting approval of the National Heritage department of its heritage status.