The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Kadazandusun high-priestess leads ritual to bless SEAREPA
- Crowd brave the rain to join in MCA mega dinner celebration
- School receives RM50,000 donation
| Kadazandusun high-priestess leads ritual to bless SEAREPA Posted: 02 Nov 2012 08:36 PM PDT SANDAKAN: Chanting age-old verses, a Kadazandusun high-priestess led 130 people from 11 nations in a ritual to bless the on-going Southeast Asia Renewable Energy People's Assembly (SEAREPA). Gripping a bouquet of seven types of plants specially selected for the blessing ceremony, 76-year-old Niubin Livonis Tulus became the centre of attention as she slowly made her way on a canopy walkway at the Rainforest Discovery Centre within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve here. She cleared the path for participants in what is locally known as the 'Mongimuau' or sweeping ritual. Niubin then conducted the Momokis or blessing of indigenous tree seedlings that were moments later distributed to participants, who then spread them into the forest from the canopy walkway. Niubin is locally known as a Bobohizan, the indigenous name for a highly respected ritual specialist who leads a range of ceremonies, including making sure that communities are able to reap a good rice harvest. At the end of the 45-minute ritual just before sunset yesterday, Niubin spoke briefly in the Kadazan language to let the organisers know that she wished the best for SEAREPA. "I know that this event will be successful. I am so happy to be here, in the forest with all of you," she said softly, before gathering her things, packed tightly into one tiny bag. The inaugural SEAREPA which drew 80 organisations is aimed at building an equitable, energy-secure future and strategic partnerships in the region and beyond. SEAREPA is co-hosted by Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), TONIBUNG (Sabah-based Friends of Village Development), Green Empowerment and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). Partners include the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry, International Accountability Project (IAP), Pacific Environment, Samdhana Institute, WWF Malaysia, the Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia (JOAS) and Coalswarm. |
| Crowd brave the rain to join in MCA mega dinner celebration Posted: 02 Nov 2012 08:35 PM PDT JOHOR BARU: The Chinese idiom feng yu tung lu, directly translated to staying together in the rain, perhaps, best describes the MCA mega dinner on a rainy night last Sunday. Thousands of diners, many holding umbrellas, had stayed on in the open air Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Muar to listen to MCA leaders who spoke on stage. Is is certainly more than braving the rain though; as the popular phrase also denotes comradeship and loyalty that withstand the test of crisis. The intermittent rain started about 6pm, an hour before the start of the dinner; but it had failed to stop some 8,000 people from making a beeline to the venue. Datuk Ser Dr Chua Soi Lek who arrived early went round the stadium to greet the people. The MCA president who took to the rostrum about 9pm, praised the people for staying on despite the rain, and this, he said, was testimony to their concern for the future of the country. "Stability and harmony in the country will continue to thrive well with your strength and support, " he said at the event themed "Stability Above Chaos". Dr Chua who was seen without an umbrella throughout the event, said there was a need to inform and explain to the people on the country's situation as general election drew nearer. Admitting that the Barisan Nasional is not free from weaknesses, he pointed out that the Pakatan Rakyat is "far from its portrayal of a perfect coalition". "While Barisan has a track record in nation building and an economic model to transform the country into a high income nation by 2020, the Pakatan only churned out populist policies, " Dr Chua said. He also challenged Pakatan leaders to a debate if they felt what he said of the coalition was baseless. He said among the pledges the Pakatan made to the people were; abolish the tolls, car taxes and Higher Education Loan Fund or PTPTN. The Pakatan, he added, also pledged a minimum of RM4,000 monthly household income for Malaysians if the coalition makes it to Putrajaya. There are 3.8 million housesholds who would benefit if it materialised, and this would cost the Government RM93bil annually, Dr Chua said. "I have openly said many times that all the pledges by Pakatan will cost the Government at least RM200bil a year, and this will bankrupt the country within two years." During the event, RM340,000 proceeds from the dinner was donated to 58 Chinese primary schools and two independent schools. |
| School receives RM50,000 donation Posted: 02 Nov 2012 08:35 PM PDT LABIS: SJK (C) Ai Chun in Tenang Station received a RM50,000 donation from members of public recently to upgrade infrastructure and facilities in the Chinese primary school. The fund was raised by the MCA and presented to the school board of governors by Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong. School board chairman Low Kiong Chin said the school was established in 1935 in Voules Estate before it was relocated to its current location near Tenang police station in 1971. "The buildings and infrastructure are old and need to be upgraded from time to time. "We hope to provide a more conducive environment to the students," he said when met at the cheque presentation ceremony held at the school. Low said the fund would be used to repair windows, doors, replace old computers and others. The school has 145 students currently, he added. Chua, who is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry deputy minister, thanked members of public who were generous and care about Chinese education. "This shows that they have confidence in the party and the future of Chinese education in this country," he said, adding that he would leave it to the school to decide how it would spend of the fund. Chua said he hoped the school would make full use of the fund for the benefit of the students. |
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