By Che Hasruddin Che Hasan THURSDAY, 2 JUNE – The 3^rd ‘Rentas Borneo 2016’ (RB16) expedition organised by the Faculty of Psychology and Education (FPP), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FPSK) and Four Wheel Drive Volunteers Club (UMS4WDC) achieved its goal in fostering closer ties between UMS staff and the communities living in the interior of Sabah through its community service activities.

Rentas Borneo became a platform to introduce UMS to the people in the interior, crossing mountainous terrains and challenges,  where UMS researchers could expand their research scope to little-known places.

The expedition chose Kg. Puun Batu, located in the Nabawan district, about 60 km from Sook and occupied by about 100 occupants.

The village has a school known as Sekolah Kebangsaan Pohon Batu with student capacity of 36 and teacher strength of only 8.

This remote village lies in a valley, the surrounding hills and natural forests are still intact with a river flowing in the middle of the village.

When the group of 29 vehicles started their journey from Keningau town at 5.00 pm, rain came down heavily and was a challenge to traverse the long and muddy roads which invited more challenges.

Many cars were stuck and needed to be winched out, including the vehicles belonging to the villagers who were on their way back to Kg. Puun Batu.

 The challenges were successfully overcame by the efficiency of drivers and members of UMS4WDC even though one vehicle suffered damage to the engine.

The RB16 entourage arrived at Kg. Puun Batu in stages beginning at 3.00 am and the last vehicle to arrive was at 4.30 am.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup said that although the road leading to the village was a difficult one, the government had approved an allocation to repair and build the roads and bridges for the villagers.

“A total of RM10 million has been approved and the construction and repairing of roads is being implemented in stages to Kg. Puun Batu, “ he disclosed to the villagers at the opening ceremony of RB16 at SK Pohon Batu.

“Application of zinc roofs by the villagers to repair damage to their present roof has also been approved,” said Tan Sri Joseph, who is also the Member of Parliament for Pensiangan.

According to Tan Sri Joseph, a total of 30 applications from 30 families had been received to repair the damages and all zinc roof brought in that day and handed over to the villagers.

Tan Sri Joseph applauded the move undertaken by UMS, for being concerned with the plight of the people in the rural areas such as in Kg. Puun Batu, who are a bit isolated.

“The arrival of Rentas Borneo participants provides sufficient exposure about Kg. Puun Batu, many of whom have not heard about.  Expedition participants also visited several interesting places in the village,” he said.

RB16 was the second visit for Tan Sri Joseph since becoming an MP for Pensiangan and who also flagged off the event.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the villagers, Principal for SK Pohon Batu, Dennis Gampilit said, he was touched by the visit by Tan Sri Joseph who brought along good news to all the villagers.

“It is not easy to get to this village and the arrival of Tan Sri Joseph using a four-wheel drive vehicle to experience the hardship faced by the community of this village is commendable,” he said to the applause of villagers and participants of RB16.

Dennis, who had just assumed the post of Principal at SK Pohon Batu 5 months ago, promised to help students and villagers to develop their village especially in terms of education for their children and to get the relevant authorities to channel development to the village.

Many community activities were also done such as health and medical screening conducted by doctors from UMS, dental examination by doctors from Nabawan, health education to children and school children, donation of new and used clothing were also distributed by the UMS4WDC and participants of RB16, friendly football match, blowpipe demonstration, top-spinning, karaoke and Unduk Ngadau.

RB16 participants also visited the nearby limestone cave and waterfall upstream which could be accessed on foot that took 45 minutes from the village.

All participants of RB16 were satisfied with the hospitality accorded by the villagers who also participated in all the activities organised. – (fl)

THURSDAY, 02 JUNE – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 1Malaysia Club recently organised a ‘Rimbunan Kasih’ programme to an orphanage including the poor and needy at Kampung Langsat, Ranau.

The Rimbunan Kasih programme was participated by 20 UMS studentswere also members of the 1Malaysia Club under the leadership of the Club President, Muhammad Firdaus Syarifuddin, whilst Isnira binti Naning acted as the Rimbunan Kasih 2016 programme Director.

The Rimbunan Kasih programme was organised to offer contributions to the welfare home that had just started its operations early this year whilst also socialising with the inmates of the home.

According to Muhammad Firdaus, a total of 26 residents aged between six and 16 years old benefited from the programme with various activities held by the organiser.

“Among the activities held were morning exercises, “Gummy Bears” and telematch that brought happiness and joy to the orphans, and to foster closer ties between students and the rural communities,” he explained.

The event ended with a handing-over of donations and tokens to the representative of the Orphanage, Kampung Langsat, Mohd Hainin. – (fl)

Source: Norhana Nordin, HEP

WEDNESDAY, 01 JUNE – Eight lecturers from the Faculty of Business, Economy and Accounting (FPEP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) paid a working visit to Kota Tarakan from 30 May and ends on 2 June.

The visit among others focussed on continued discussions related to joint-research between researchers and lecturers from Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Tinggi (STIE) Bulungan Tarakan, Indonesia.

The results of the discussion led to more than 10 research projects suggested by FPEP and six from STIE which included business, economy, tourism and management of Sabah and Kota Tarakan in Indonesia.

According to the Head of STIE, Drs R. Philipus, the collaboration with FPEP UMS was the first conducted by STIE and a foreign university.

He believed that UMS being among the best universities in Malaysia, would produce high impact research results through the collaboration of researchers from UMS and STIE.

“This would set a precedence on ‘across the border’ collaboration thus complementing the harmonious relationship of these two countries, Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.

Meanwhile, FPEP lecturer, Professor Dr. Arsiah Hj Bahron who was the head of delegation said many new ideas were developed through research from both entities that shared the same border along Borneo Island and Kalimantan.

“Besides forums, researchers from UMS also held field work, interviews and data collection for four days at Kota Tarakan.

“FPEP, UMS will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future to strengthen and enhance collaboration with foreign institutions such as STIE,” she said.

The second visit by FPEP, UMS to STIE, Indonesia hoped to boost further across the border collaboration, besides other academic activities.

STIE lecturers are expected to make a visit to Sabah so as to complete the research results from both sides.

Source: Jakaria Dasan, FPEP

WEDNESDAY, 1 JUNE – UMS ASEAN Day held for the very first time at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)Library recently was to increase the level of understanding particularly amongst university students on the culture and general knowledge of the 10 member countries in the Southeast Asian region.

Organised by the Student Ambassadors and International Students of UMS in collaboration with the Centre for International Affairs UMS (PHEA), the four-day programme aimed to create awareness of ASEAN and the ASEAN countries, and to promote the involvement of students within and outside the country among others.

UMS Chief Librarian, Dg. Rukiah Ag. Amit said during the launching, UMS itself had a number of students from the ASEAN region, thus their involvement in the promotion of the ASEAN countries would encourage the exchange of ideas and knowledge on the culture of each country.

“This programme provides a variety of activities including exhibition, games, poetry-reading competition, and film screenings dedicated to UMS students and outsiders as a way of providing and understanding of the ASEAN countries thus instilling the ASEAN spirit amongst students.

“It is hoped that this event does not end here but will become an annual event of the university,” she added.

Meanwhile, Director of PHEA, Molly Donna Awang Sham said she was very pleased with the participation and cooperation of UMS students, be it local or international.

“The programme has achieved its objective of bringing together and promoting cooperation among leaders of local and international students, they are the young generaton of tomorrow and would continue to uphold the ASEAN spirit,” she added.

Also present at the ceremony were the Consul-General of Indonesia, Akhmad Daya Haudasah Irfan, Consul-General of Negara Brunei Darussalam, Pg. Hajah Nooriyah PLW Pg. Haji Yussof and the Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign  Affairs, Regional Office, Sabah, Mohd. Adham Yahaya. – MA (fl)