M`SIAN PM REMINISCES ABOUT SIGNATURE

BUTTERWORTH (Malaysia), March 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Mininster
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Saturday returned to his old school, Sekolah Menengah
Kebangsaan Tinggi Bukit Mertajam, and reminisced about the signature he still
uses until now.

"I created the signature while in Form Two in 1953," the prime minister told
about 400 teachers, students and former students of the school when opening its
heritage building.

There was something special at the tail end, he said. "When I signed the
Alumni book, I felt something was not right with the signature so I asked to
sign again," he said.

Abdullah who is the school's Alumni patron said he was happy to be able to
return to his old school and told of his first experience in making friends with
the non-Malays. "Before I came to the school, I did not have non-Malay friends,"
he said.

He also said that he had difficulties in learning and speaking English for
the first time because the only reference then was the teachers. "I only knew
the mistakes when I showed my class teacher my exercise book," he said.

On the repair work on the school's Block C which costs RM4.16 milion, he
said he was happy that the old building was not demolished and the school
authority managed to retain its original design.

At the function, the school administration honoured Abdullah by naming the
school hall after him.

-- BERNAMA