"...establishing at a suitable locality in the Federated Malay States, a special residential school for education, of Malays of good family and for the training of Malay boys for the branches of the government service ..."

-R.J Wilikinson, Inspector of Schools for Federated Malay States.-

The 2nd Conference of Rulers in Kuala Lumpur in July 1903, was the initial motivation to the much needed improvement in the local's education, particularly the Malays. An idea of establishing a special institution for further participation of Malays in the British Government was brought up during the assembly. Mentions of criticism arose as the ruling Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris spoke on the discrimination of British education policy, for its dismal products, in his words, "...producing better Malay farmers and fishermen only...".

But, nevertheless, the idea sparked off interests and received mix opinions from both the locals and the British officers. Both perceived that it would pose a new era, or medium for a change in the academic field of the Malays. At least, that was exactly the thought of J.P Rodger, the Resident of Pahang, when he sent a letter to the Resident General of the Federated Malay States, suggesting a school, not just another school, but to be a centralized academic instituition for the Malay Rajas and chiefs.

The Inspector of Schools then in 1904, R.J Wilkinson, just appointed to be in the seat, gave full support to Rodger's proposal. Wilkinson, well known for his love and commitment to his duty, was eager to put the plan into work. He submitted a proposal, roughly similar to Rodger's, but with a slight, yet significant change in his, suggesting a RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL instead of a normal daily curricular activities. The eventual product was hoped to be channelled to the government sector, as a invaluable commodity for the future needs of the British government.

Apparently, Sultan Idris of Perak had a different opinion. Wilkinson's reasons did not satisfy his crave for a reform in his subjects. Nevertheless, prior to the accepted proposal, a plot of land in the small town of Kuala Kangsar was contributed to render the setting up of the establishment, courtesy of the sultan himself.

The recommendation from Wilkinson, unsurprisingly, received total approval from the High Commisioner under several conditons. First, the scheme was to be introduced in a small scale and second, it was then unanimously decided that William Hargreaves, headmaster of Penang Free School, was to be the first principal of the new institution.

The new school came into existence as the Malay Residential School, as it opened on the 2nd of January 1905,with the registration of 8 students and three teachers.