These successful ladies share what one of the oldest schools in Malaysia means to them
Update: According to a report in The Star on April 22, 2021, the Prime Minister Office has issued a statement that the land lease for Convent Bukit Nanas has been extended for another 60 years. The statement said: "The government looked into the application by the Convent Bukit Nanas' board to extend the land lease where the school is located. After reviewing the matter and taking into consideration the school's contribution towards national education since 1899, the government has agreed for the lease to be extended by 60 years."
It came to light recently that the government did not renew the lease of SMK Convent Bukit Nanas's (CBN) land, which expires on September 6, 2021. The school applied for a judicial review with the High Court, which will be heard on May 4, 2021.
Later, it was reported that the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office will not ask the school to vacate to make way for any redevelopment. According to its director Datuk Muhammad Yasir Yahya, the lease was not renewed to allow the school to be gazetted as an educational institution that is fully government aided.
“Right now, CBN is partially aided and it is a very old school, and it will benefit more if it is made a fully aided government institution,” he was quoted in The Star. The newspaper also reported that Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa has expressed his intention to meet with the CBN Sisters to discuss how he can help to preserve the 122-year-old school.
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Founded in 1899 by the nuns of the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus, Convent Bukit Nanas is one of the oldest schools in Malaysia. The all-girls school has produced a number of luminaries in various fields, among them former minister of international trade and industry Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, social entrepreneur Sasibai Kimis, filmmaker Zabrina Fernandez, singer-comedienne Adibah Noor.
They share, in their own words, with Tatler Malaysia their thoughts on the matter and also how CBN has shaped them into who they are today.