The Malay College Old Boys' Association (MCOBA)

The Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) has been in existence, in one form or another, over the last 91 years. It all began in 1929; 24 years after the Malay Residential School (later known as the Malay College Kuala Kangsar) opened its doors to the first group of students. On a fine day in March 1929, the tranquility of the quiet town of Kuala Kangsar was disturbed by the roaring sound of car engines. On that day, approximately 150 Old Boys of the Malay College had descended from all corners of the country to pay homage to their beloved alma mater. More significantly, a discussion was held on a formation of a Malay College Old Boys Association. There, in the hallowed walls of the great institution, the ‘cream’ of Malay society gathered to meet old friends, meet new ones and reminisce on schooldays gone by. The school hall was the historic place, where the Old Boys unanimously agreed to form The Malay College Old Boys Association (MCOBA) on the 16th March 1929. Raja Musa bin Raja Bhot (1910-1914), was elected as its founder president. A distinguished gentleman of great personal ability, he later became the country’s first Malay Judge. In 2009, we celebrate our 80th anniversary of MCOBA. This means that the Old Boys of Malay College have been able to live together, almost like an extended family, for eight decades. It is a lot to be said, for group of young men with different backgrounds and career paths. MCOBA has been successful through the years because individuals of so many different talents and abilities have found a common ground to share together. That common ground is simply an undying love for an old boyhood experience, which turned us into men.