RMC- KERATAN AKHBAR

Thursday December 4, 2008

400 teens vie for 250 places at RMC

KUALA LUMPUR: It is hard to find 15-year-olds willing to give up their PlayStations for two years but that is exactly what more than 400 applicants vying for a place at the Royal Military College (RMC) are willing to sacrifice.

These post-PMR students selected from the more than 1,000 applicants nationwide went through intense physical tests at the RMC yesterday, which included push-ups, sit-ups and running, to determine if they have what it takes to make it at the prestigious military school.

There are vacancies for 250 students at the school.

“I believe this is the best place for me to achieve my dreams and develop my talents,” said Zainal Asnawi Asyraf Zainal Abbidin, who returned on his own accord from the United States, where his father works as a diplomat at the Malaysian Embassy, just to sign up for the RMC.

More than 400 teenagers aspiring to enter the Royal Military College went through intense physical tests yesterday to see if they have what it takes to be recruits. The drills, including push-ups, seemed too much to stomach for some of the post-PMR students. Education at the college includes academics and military training.

“We will have to give up things like video games, TV and in my case, friends. But being successful isn’t easy. You have to sacrifice for it,” Zainal Asnawi said.

Education at the RMC is a combination of academics and military training with a strong focus on discipline and character building.

Prominent RMC alumni include former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Akademi Fantasia host AC Mizal.