Villagers donate land for hostel
Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025
By: Clarence Dol Text Size: Dr. Joachim (3rd right) listens to a briefing from Rudi while visiting the Cahaya Kasih Dormitory. About 20 students who lack accommodation in a school here will soon have a place to stay with the completion of the Cahaya Kasih Dormitory in the near future thanks to land donated by villagers here. Deputy Chief Minister II and State Assemblyman (ADUN) Kundasang, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam inspected the Cahaya Kasih Dormitory which is still not fully completed in Kg Malinsau Darat, here.
Advertisement The visit was to monitor the progress of the community dormitory project and identify the form of contribution that can be given by the Government or the Kundasang Assemblyman's Office. 'We will see what needs to be contributed, whether from the Government or specifically through the Kundasang Assemblyman's Office. Later we will discuss what other assistance can be given to them,' he said. The hostel was built using funds from various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including the Sabah Churches Council. The initiative was initiated by the residents of Kampung Malinsau Darat together with Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Gabungan to help students who live far away to continue their education. The project, worth about RM230,000, also received a land donation donated by local residents who were concerned about the difficulties parents have in sending their children to school due to the long distance.
Advertisement The project chairman, Rudi Burain, who is also the Headmaster of SK Sri Gabungan, thanked Dr Joachim for inspecting the needs of the hostel to expedite its preparations. 'We in this community agreed to build the hostel with the help of NGOs, especially churches throughout Sabah. So far, the construction progress has reached 90 percent, but there are still some equipment that need to be provided before it can be operational. 'With the help of Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim, we believe that this hostel can be used in the near future. The students here will not only get accommodation facilities, but also various academic and spiritual activities will be carried out,' he said. Also present during the visit were Dr. Joachim's Political Secretary, Yubidi Gompoyo; Chairman of JPKK Kampung Nasakot Malinsau Darat, Patrick Gundalam and several local leaders. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Fire destroys buildings in Telupid, Sandakan
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 By: Winnie Kasmir Text Size: Firemen putting out fire on the building in Telupid township. TELUPID: Several commercial and residential buildings here and in Sandakan were destroyed in separate fire incidents early Sunday. In Telupid, five wooden shop houses, a row of 13-door rental houses and a semi-wooden residential home were destroyed. Advertisement Beluran Fire and Rescue Station Chief Edoen Macheal said emergency services received the distress call at 1.09am and arrived at the scene at 3.23am. The operation ended at 6.28am with no casualties reported. In Sandakan, a former heavy machinery workshop on Jalan Pertukangan, Batu 1.5, was 95 per cent destroyed by fire. Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jimmy Lagung said they were alerted at 1.35am and reached the location by 1.41am. Advertisement The workshop building was severely damaged, while an adjacent workers' quarters sustained 5 per cent fire damage. Operations were completed by 2.07am with no injuries reported. The cause and estimated losses for both fire incidents are under investigation. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
A landmark celebration of faith and community
Strong foundation: Congregants marking the 130th anniversary of St Mark's Church in Butterworth. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star BUTTERWORTH: For university student Joel Cephasraj Harris, St Mark's Church is more than a place of worship – it is part of his family's story. The 20-year-old said the church has been central to three generations, from his grandfather to his father and now himself. 'Practically my whole family worshipped here, from my grandfather to my generation,' he said during the church's 130th anniversary celebration yesterday. Joel, who has volunteered there for several years, described the church as a melting pot of English, Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil speakers. 'It goes beyond religion – it's about shaping people into better individuals and strengthening the community,' he said. Engineer S. Prabakaran brought his wife and two children from Seberang Jaya for the occasion. 'It's a proud day for us. The church has evolved into more than just a religious institution – it's where the community comes together,' said the 44-year-old. Prabakaran said he took advantage of the weekend holiday to bring his family to join the anniversary celebration. 'It's not every day you get to witness a 130-year celebration. I wanted my children to see and appreciate the church's history and the role it plays in our lives,' he said, adding that he also met up with his friends there. His wife, K. Kavitha, 40, said it is heartening to see people of all ages sharing stories and celebrating a place that has stood the test of time. Even non-members joined in the celebration such as Butterworth resident Eduard Lim, 25, who came to support friends and neighbours. 'I've always admired how the church opens its doors to everyone, regardless of background. It's part of what makes this community special,' he said. Lim added that the event is also a chance to appreciate the church's history, noting that such heritage buildings are rare and should be preserved for future generations. Yesterday's celebration drew hundreds of congregants and community members who came together to mark the anniversary with prayers, hymns and cultural performances. The event also offered a variety of community services, including free dental check-ups provided by the Health Ministry, medical screenings by Polyclinic Bagan, blood pressure and glucose tests, eye examinations and a blood donation drive by Hospital Baling. Children were treated to games and activities, adding a festive atmosphere to the occasion. Anglican Churches' Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia Rev Canon Dr D. Steven Abbarow led the service. The church also launched a fundraising drive for RM180,000 to buy a new van for its children's ministry, replacing a 20-year-old vehicle. Vicar Rev Anthony Jude said the van is essential for transporting Sunday school students. 'Our existing van is becoming too costly to maintain,' he said. The church also set a target of raising between RM30,000 and RM40,000 yesterday. Present during the anniversary celebration were Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Bagan Dalam assemblyman K. Kumaran, Bagan Jermal assemblyman Chee Yeeh Keen and senator Dr Lingeshwaran R. Arunasalam. Founded in 1893 by Rev Hubert C. Henham, the Church of St Mark the Evangelist began as a wooden chapel seating 70 and was completed in 1894 on a government-granted land along Jalan Bagan Luar. It was consecrated in January 1895. In 1929, the church moved to a larger site to serve a growing congregation, and the brick building consecrated that year gave Jalan St Mark its name. Today, the church stands in a Butterworth enclave known as a 'street of harmony', near Hindu and Buddhist temples and a Gurdwara, reflecting the town's interfaith heritage. St Mark's remains under the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, holding services in English and Tamil.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Daily Express
Workshop, nearby quarters affected in Sandakan fire
Published on: Sunday, August 10, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 Text Size: The fire scene. - Pic by JBPM SANDAKAN: A fire damaged a former heavy machinery workshop along Jalan Pertukangan, Mile 1½ here early Sunday morning. The Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call at 1.35am and arrived at the scene within six minutes. Advertisement The blaze affected 95 per cent of the 30x60 square-foot workshop and slightly damaged a nearby 30x100 square-foot workers' quarters. No injuries were reported, with the firefighting team using a defensive approach and water from a tanker to bring the situation under control by 2.07am. The operation concluded at 3.11am. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
