For decades, generations of Koleq boys have walked past it without needing directions. Everyone simply knew where it was, because at MCKK, some landmarks do not ask for attention, as time grants it to them. The Great Wall, standing guard beside the rugby field, has long been more than concrete and paint. It is a witness. To cheers. To rivalries. To muddy boots and late evening training sessions. To stories that never needed to be written down, because the wall itself remembered.

According to the Senior Assistant of Co-curricular archives, in the early years it was proudly known as The Great Wall, a name used widely by students and alumni alike. The designation later shifted to “Peace Wall” with the establishment of the UNESCO Club at Koleq, but the truth is simple: no matter what the records say, the alumni never stopped calling it The Great Wall.

And recently, after years of weather, sun, rain, corrosion, and the daily rhythm of games played beside it, the wall finally earned what time had withheld: a second life.

Restoring What Time Tried to Claim

This refurbishment was never merely aesthetic. It began with deterioration, both physical and symbolic. A visible crack prompted concern, and a quieter erosion of identity signalled something deeper: the fading of heritage.

Recognising this, Mr. Mohamad Azhar, Class of ’93, saw that this was the moment to act; not only to repair, but to restore meaning. With support and facilitation from the Senior Assistant of Co-curricular Mr. Noor Ramdhan and final approval from HM Aimin Fadhlee, a renewal project was launched. Designs were created by Koleq’s own talents, Mr. Ariff Bani (Dayat), Class of ’96 and Dr. Shahril Khalid (CK), Class of ’96, ensuring this revival remained by Koleq, for Koleq.

Then came something remarkable: an international artistic collaboration.
Europe-based RaskrasimVSE/Global Mural Arts, led by Mr Alexey Makarovskiy, together with its local and regional team, delivered a mural executed with precision, speed, and pride. Alexey himself flew in from Georgia on the eve of the project, lending artistic expertise and presence. Within three days, the wall was transformed: disciplined workmanship, exceptional professionalism, and a result worthy of Koleq’s legacy.

Great Design. Great Mural. Great Wall.

Visual Identity for 120 Years of Excellence

In conjunction with MCKK’s 120th Anniversary (1905–2025), a new design concept was chosen: 120 Years of Excellence.

The mural begins with one of Koleq’s most recognisable icons: the Big School, built in 1909 as the British model of a public school. Yet within this symbolism lies the quintessential Malay character: the handwoven sampin. Together they reflect Koleq’s essence: a British structure, a Malay soul.

Exploding outward are vibrant waves of orange, green, turquoise, and red, departing from the former black-and-red scheme, yet preserving the bold masculinity and prestige of the institution. These colours represent:

• growth from Prep School to seniority,

• the challenges that shape intellect and character,

• and the journey from boyhood to brotherhood.

At the very centre stands the everlasting motto:
FIAT SAPIENTIA VIRTUS : “Let manliness come through wisdom.”
As relevant today as it was in 1905.

This is not decoration. It is identity, rendered in colour and structure.

Framing the mural from the opposite side, it opens with a fierce tiger in motion, where the Koleq spirit visually embodied. From its roar flows dynamic movement representing four long-standing sporting traditions:

• Rugby

• Football

• Hockey

• Basketball

These figures reflect not only games, but lifelong lessons embedded in them—teamwork, grit, strategy, discipline, and leadership.

A striking crimson column anchors the far right, stamped with four letters that require no explanation for anyone who has walked Koleq grounds.

Only when the eye journeys across the mural does its identity reveal itself: Roar of MCKK.

A collaboration between RaskrasimVSE (Europe), Global Mural Arts (Malaysia/Singapore) and Malaysia’s finest local talent, bridging heritage with international artistry.

Legacy Preserved, Spirit Renewed

This refurbishment is not an ending; it is a new beginning. The Great Wall now stands stronger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever — anchored in its history while roaring confidently into its future. It embodies a story of passion, collaboration, and brotherhood, shaped by people who chose to give back not in speeches, but in stone.

More than a structure, this restoration represents a promise: a legacy handed from one generation to the next.

In the words of Mr. Mohamad Azhar, Class of ’93:

“A parting gift from me in advance. Thank you for the five years of wonderful experience you have given my son. Tq Koleq.”

As MCKK celebrates its 120th year, the mural continues what Koleq has always done best: honour the past, elevate the present, and inspire the future.

“This is the Big School, East Wing, West Wing… and this is the Big Tree.”
Even now, those words linger vividly in my mind, spoken by the former Headmaster on my first day at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He proudly toured and introduced the heritage buildings, the traditions, and the quiet stories etched into the landscape.

But it was the Big Tree that made me take a second glance: how could something so natural command attention equal to the crafted splendour around it, so much so that it bears a title all its own?

Notwithstanding its lack of crafted pillars, sweeping arches, or any of the architectural intricacy that made Big School so striking, it stood with its own quiet splendour: broad, wise, and impossibly dignified, as if nature had shaped it to complement the iconic facade behind it. Even as a newcomer, I sensed immediately that the Big Tree was more than part of the scenery. It was part of the institution’s soul.

I learned about the Big Tree in detail from a MCKK alumnus, Mr Hisham Badrul Hashim’s writing. He shared:
“Once, there was a little tree… discarded by one Sir Henry Ridley, who thought it was a rubber tree seedling.”

From that forgotten seedling in a quiet field of Kuala Kangsar grew what would one day become the most recognisable natural landmark of MCKK. Through pre-war years, occupation, independence, and modernisation, the tree endured. While new structures rose around it, the little tree waited patiently, grew slowly, and eventually became a giant.

It witnessed eras shift.
It watched boys change into young men.
It outlived the Not-So-Big Tree and the Not-So-Little Tree.
And in its stillness, it learned what it meant to remain steadfast.

As Mr Hisham beautifully wrote:
“It knew that within the insignificance of a little tree can be found the greatness of a Big Tree.”

On the night of 2 December 2025, the Big Tree reminded us of its age.
Not through a storm.
Not through violent winds.
Not in any dramatic display of nature’s fury.

Instead, one of its great limbs, one of those broad, sheltering arms, finally gave in after more than a century of holding memories, shade, and stories. The incident occurred at night, and early observations suggest the cause is still under investigation.

By dawn, a wave of messages spread across Malaysia. By afternoon, unfamiliar cars drove by the field, and alumni returned, drawn back by memories and the quiet gravity of the moment. Photos circulated. What outsiders might have dismissed as “a fallen branch” was felt deeply by those who once stood under its shade.

For many, it was not a fallen limb.
It was a reminder that even giants age.

As Mr Hisham wrote the following day:
“Some trees are not trees. Some trees are histories. Some trees are homes we forgot we needed.”

The Big Tree has long been the unofficial heart of the field: its silent headmaster, its patient storyteller, its witness to a century of footsteps.

The limb may have fallen, but the tree still stands, older, braver, and very much alive.

As a relatively new member of the MCKK community, I have learned something important over the years: this school’s heritage is not preserved only through buildings and traditions, but through the collective love of those who cherish its stories.

This moment is not merely a reminder of loss but a call to stewardship: 
To care for the natural heritage entrusted to us.
To honour the memories attached to every branch and leaf.
To teach our students that history, whether carved in stone or rooted in soil, must be protected, preserved, and respected.

Let this fallen limb remind us:
Heritage does not survive on age alone.
It survives because we choose to protect it.

And as long as we continue to safeguard the Big Tree, speak of it, learn from it, and honour its presence, it will keep standing, in the field, in our hearts, and in our history.

“Long live the Big Tree.
Even fallen, it stands.”

What Does It Take to End a Six-Year Wait?

A championship can be won in four days—but a comeback like this takes years.

From 10 to 14 June 2025, the MCKK Cagers took part in the Kejohanan Bola Keranjang SBP Peringkat Kebangsaan, hosted by SM Agama Persekutuan Kajang, with matches held at Sports Arena@UNITEN Kajang and MABA Stadium. The name of the trophy? Piala Hamdan Tahir. The last time we held it was in 2019.

Six years. That’s a long time for a school like ours. Too long.

Our campaign began with a confident 63–23 win over SMS Johor. Momentum was high, energy promising. But in the second game, against SESMA, things nearly unraveled. We only just edged through with a 29–27 win.

“We definitely underestimated SESMA’s team after a big win the day before,” said our captain.
“I think we lost our rhythm. We rushed too many shots, and our teamwork just wasn’t there.”

It was a turning point; not in points, but in mindset. The team knew they had to respond not just with skill, but with unity.

And they did. We defeated ASiS 39–32 in the following match, then SAS 48–37 in the quarter-final, the team that had stopped us in our tracks the year before. Redemption earned, not handed.

The semi-final brought a familiar opponent: STAR. But this time, the response was decisive—71–45. Controlled, composed, clinical.

And then came the final.

SESTER. Defending champions. The best of the rest.

But MCKK didn’t just show up to play. We showed up to finish what we started. From the first quarter to the last, every pass, every rebound, every call echoed months of preparation and years of hope. Final score: MCKK 51 – 32 SESTER.

 The Piala Hamdan Tahir came home—to Kuala Kangsar—after six long years.
The MCKK Cagers are now 20-time national champions.

Our team captain was named Most Valuable Player, and another Cager received the Top Rebounder award. But the real triumph? A team that fought as one, grew as one, and lifted the trophy as one.

“We’ve been preparing for this since last year,” the captain shared.
“This was never about individual wins. We earned this together. And we deserved it.”

In the final, 80 Koleq boys stood as our official cheering squad, filling the court with the kind of support money can’t buy. They didn’t just cheer. They roared. Parents, teachers, and Old Boys were there too—clapping, shouting, beaming. Their presence meant everything.

This win wasn’t just the end of a drought.
It was the return of a legacy.
The spirit never left—it just needed time to rise again.

Six years.
One heart.
Twenty titles.

The MCKK Cagers are home, once more, as champions.

Congratulations to the Malay College Dark Knights, MCKK!

For the very first time, the thunder of Koleq spirit echoed on the international stage as the team took part in the Malaysia International Marching Arts Championships 2025 (MIMAC2025) at Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur on 25 & 26 July 2025.

The team competed in the “Drummers Face Off” category, going head-to-head with top-tier international teams from countries such as Indonesia. The competition was judged by a panel of world-renowned musicians from Thailand, Germany, the USA, and Malaysia.

Although victory did not go to the team this time, the fighting spirit of the Budak Koleq marked a new legacy and carved a name for themselves on the international stage in the world of drumline.

May the team’s relentless spirit continue to rise and never fade!

What makes a team exceptional? Is it the scoreboard, the accolades, the roaring final whistle? Or is it the relentless discipline, unshakable unity, and mental resilience forged across three grueling days?

The North Zone Fully Residential School Basketball Tournament returned to SM Sains Tun Syed Sheh Shahabudin for its second consecutive year, With high expectations and a legacy to uphold, the MCKK Cagers stepped onto familiar ground—not to relive the past, but to defend the present.

The Cagers announced their arrival on Day One with resounding clarity: a 48–5 triumph over SAKURA, followed swiftly by a 47–0 shutout against SAKBA. Dominant. Focused. Unrelenting.

But Day Two demanded something more. Three matches in one day was undeniably a test of endurance, adaptability, and strategic discipline. We opened with a 30–10 win against SMSAH, then dispatched SERATAS with a commanding 46–14 scoreline. By evening, we met SAINA in the quarter-finals, where the Cagers executed a precise and punishing 53–6 victory. Fatigue was real, but the mission was louder.

On Day Three, the semi-final against KUPSIS saw no drop in form—MCKK advanced with a confident 63–12 performance. The momentum was ours. But as we approached the final, we knew this would be more than just a game.

In the first quarter, the effect was visible. The crowd noise disrupted communication, the mood shifted, and STAR pulled ahead by a narrow margin. For a brief moment, doubt flirted with the sideline. But the Cagers did what they’ve been trained to do; they recalibrated, regrouped, and reignited.

Then, in the final quarter, the breakthrough came. Several back-to-back baskets, a sudden five-point lead—and the floodgates opened. The court came alive with purpose, every play executed with hunger, precision, and belief. The game ended MCKK 55 – 42 STAR. The cheers may not have been ours—but the game, the grit, and the glory most certainly were.

And yes, we emerged champions.
Yes, our team captain was named Best Player of the Tournament.
But more than anything else, what we witnessed was the evolution of character—of composure under pressure, of unity when it mattered most, of grace even in dominance.

They shook hands. They bowed to their rivals. They acknowledged every challenge with respect. This is what it means to be a Cager—open-hearted, gracious, and proud to represent Koleq.

I’ve never been prouder to write these words—not merely as a reporter of events, but as the team manager privileged to walk this journey with the Cagers.

To Coach, whose tireless leadership carved the path.
To the parents, the Old Boys, the Senior Assistant of Co-curriculum, and the teachers who travelled, who stayed, who cheered their hearts out; we felt your presence in every pass, every point, every push to the end. You were part of this fight. Part of this win.

This championship belongs to all of you.

What happens when discipline meets determination, when teamwork is forged through shared purpose, and when young men play not just to win—but to represent?

The Perak State Fully Residential School Hockey Tournament 2025 was held from 16 to 18 May at the Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) Turf, marking the second consecutive year this venue hosted the prestigious event. Seven fully residential schools took part—MCKK, SABDA, SEMESTI, SESTA, IGOP, STAR, and SERATAS—all united by a common goal: to bring their best to the field.

The tournament began in earnest on 17 May, and it was MCKK who had the honour of playing the first match of the day. In the cool morning air, our team delivered a confident 3-0 victory against SESTA, setting the tone for the day. Later, under the intense afternoon heat, they returned to the turf and secured a second triumph—2-0 against SABDA. Two matches, two clean sheets, and a place at the top of Group A.

On 18 May, the semi-final clash against SERATAS proved a close contest. With composure and tactical discipline, MCKK edged through with a 1-0 win—securing a spot in the final. The concluding match saw our team face STAR, where despite a commendable effort and unwavering spirit, MCKK fell 0-4 to a strong opponent.

We emerged as First Runner-Up of the tournament, a result that reflects both the quality of our gameplay and the strength of our unity. Adding to this achievement, our goalkeeper was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament—a well-deserved recognition of skill, focus, and leadership from the backline.

There may be moments when the scoreboard favours another, but the journey, the discipline, and the pride we carry remain resolutely ours.

Because in every game we play, we honour the name.
We uphold excellence. We grow stronger together. We carry Koleq forward.