FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – Like the saying that goes, ‘It never rains, it pours’, the same can be said about this 64 year old grandmother of 20 grandchildren who was one of the 600 fire victims of Kg. Numbak.

“Earlier this year, my house at Kg. Sabang was razed by fire. We then moved to stay with my son. Unfortunately, his house is also burnt down,” she explained.

The grandmother was expressing her sadnes when met by reporters from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Media who were covering the humanitarian aid mission of this EcoCampus university at Menggatal Community Hall.

“I was asleep when the fire broke out at around 1.00 pm. I heard shouts from outside, I then got up and gathered all my grandchildren,” she said.

She was able to grab their personal documents amidst all the frantic before jumping off into the sea with her grandchildren.

When asked about the aid being distributed, she thanked UMS and all parties concerned that came to offer their assistance and contributions to ease the burden of the 74 affected families.

UMS delegation headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah handed over daily needs as well as clothing and foodstuff including cash contributed by students and staff of UMS.

Also in the delegation were the Head of Chancellery Department, No’man Hj. Ahmad; Head of Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Mohd. Raffie Hj. Janau and staff and students of UMS. – FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun

FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – Community Head Habil bin Nasiril, 40 thanked all those who had contributed to the welfare and needs of the recent Kg, Numbak fire victims. The fire which engulfed the whole village had left a total of 600 people from 74 families homeless.

According to Habil, to date the fire department has yet to confirm the cause of fire that had razed all 57 houses to the ground. At present, all fire victims have been given temporary shelter at the Menggatal Community Hall.

Habil’s younger brother Muhamad bin Nasiril, 38, perished in the fire and was the only casualty recorded. When asked about the tragedy, Habil said that Muhamad who was a bachelor was inside his bedroom sleeping when the fire broke out.

“We couldn’t save him as his bedroom door was locked and everything went very fast,” Habil added.

UMS handed contributions in terms of cash and kind for the fire victims to Habil where he brought the entourage to meet with the victims.

“We thank all for the contributions but we still need contributions from all parties,” he said when met by Chancellery Media, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) today.

Habil hoped that more concerned parties would come forward to help the victims.

The Kg. Numbak Humanitarian Aid was an initiative by the Media Division of UMS.


By Feria Lee

                                                                                                                                                                   Chancellery Department

THURSDAY, 03 OCTOBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) received a courtesy call from the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste to Malaysia, H.E. Jose Antonio Amorim Dias today.

The visit focuses on bilateral cooperation in the academic field to enable UMS academicians explore resources found in Timor Leste.

He said, international relations field had the potential to be a research material by both parties baring bitter sweet stories for the country in achieving independence and when joining ASEAN.

“Timor Leste is driving towards economic development through the improvements of education and infrastructure. Thus, cooperation between the two sides could help our aspiration in developing the country’s economy,” he said this in the presence of 150 UMS students in a ceremony in conjunction with his working visit to UMS.

He added that with the oil and gas wealth found in Timor Leste, he welcomed the cooperation from UMS to conduct research and technology transfer by both parties, since Timor Leste still lacks the expertise and technology in the said field.

He also welcomed investors from Malaysia to open their businesses in Timor Leste. Among the businesses mentioned were agriculture especially in oil palm planting, teak wood, oil exploration, gas etc.

The Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah said UMS was ready to forge bilateral cooperation with education institutions and government agencies from Timor Leste. He said this cooperation is a good opportunity which should be tapped and seized by academicians and students of UMS to generate knowledge in the context of human capital. – FL

 
By Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd Amin
Photo: Ernest Berinus

 
                                                                                                                                                                         Chancellery Department

 

THURSDAY, 03 OCTOBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students eagerly welcome the PC Fair which is on-going at UMS Main Lecture Halls since yesterday.

A check by Chancellery Department Media found that the fair receives good response from students who need to buy laptop, external hard disc, pen drive etc for their study needs.

Industry and Organisation Psychology Programme third year student, Nurul Nadia Abdul Rahman when met said that UMS’ efforts in organising the PC Fair was timely because students need not go far to get what they needed.

“We can come here right after lectures or while waiting for the next lecture. UMS should organise such fairs as it really helps us students of this university,” she urged.

A student of the Preparatory Centre for Science and Technology, Irfan Kamal Walid also expressed the same when he said that it was according to the tastes of the younger generation especially university students who have made technology part of their daily lives.

He also suggested that more exhibitors from outside be included in the fair, in future.

The fair continues until tomorrow and is open from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. – FL

 
By Salbinous Saribun
 
                                                                                                                                                                        Chancellery Department