Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said, the success of the Prophet in uniting the people in Madinah should be seen in a wider context.

“When viewed against the background of the people in our country that is made up of different races and religions, unity is very important amongst the people of Malaysia, especially in facing the challenges from external elements who try to poison the minds of people, dividing Malaysians.

“Hence, let us together practice tolerance and be forgiving, insya-Allah all planned development of the country would be achieved if everyone is united,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul UMS level celebration held at Dewan Resital, UMS.

His text was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ismail Ali.

According to him, in the context of UMS, all employees must be united in working together to provide the best service to students and contributing to the surrounding community.

“Without unity and understanding, it is hard for UMS to achieve its Key Performance Indicators (KPI) that have been set,” he said.

The charity project by Al-Jawwad group was chosen to be the best, winning them the prize money of RM2,000 contributed by the Sabah Zakat Centre, presented by Dr. Ismail.

The group comprised the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Centre for the Preparatory of Science and Technology, Borneo Marine Research Institute, Biotechnology Research Institute and the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, which repaired the surau at Kampung Lentuong, Karambunai, building a mini dam for the surau, and the distribution of Al-Quran and basic needs for the surau.

More than 500 UMS staff attended the event  where a talk was also presented by Pencetus Ummah (PU) Azihal Bangsawan. – MA (fl)

Photo: Musaab Umair

WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY – About 800 secondary school students in the Federal Territory of Labuan joined the Love Malaysia Campaign held at the Main Lecture Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL), this morning.

Besides secondary school students, the programme that started at 11 am was also attended by Labuan Matriculation College students, staff, lecturer, staff and students of UMSKAL.

The programme organised by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) in collaboration with UMSKAL also featured the nation’s number one master of ceremony, Datuk Aznil Haji Nawawi, who is also the icon of Love Malaysia Campaign.

Also present were UMSKAL Director, Associate Professor Dr. Murnizam Haji Halik; Director of Coordination Division, Office of the Director of Sabah, Dayang Halimah Awang Ahmad; Director of the Inland Revenue Board Labuan branch, Zabidi Abdul Rashid; Deputy Director of UMS Labuan International Campus, Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal; Deputy Senior Registrar, UMSKAL, Zamri Haji Mohammad Tuan and Programme Coordinator, Nur Iman Reedzal.

Aznil said the Love Malaysia Campaign programme that came to a close at UMSKAL after it began a year ago touring the country.

He said the nationwide campaign and meeting society from all walks of life especially secondary school students and undergrads from Higher Learning Institutions (IPTA) was successful in achieving its objectives to ensure Malaysians exercise their duties to pay taxes.

“The response at each location was incredible and beyond my expectation, including the last location here at UMSKAL.  I hope that through this campaign, more Malaysians will pay taxes as a responsibility towards the country,” he said, receiving thunderous applause from the floor that filled the Main Lecture Hall of UMSKAL.

Aznil hoped that working Malaysians would allocate certain amount of money from their salary to pay taxes, that would be added to the country’s budget.

Touching on the target on secondary schools and universities in the campaign, Aznil said IRB wished to instill awareness to the younger generation while still in their school days before they step into the working world.

He also hoped that Malaysians would continue to inculcate their patriotism to the country especially when they are abroad.

“We have to instill a love for the country since young and not merely through speeches and slogans alone,” he added.

‘Pak Nil’, as he is fondly known, also encouraged students to always utter the word thank you to their parents who had sacrificed so much since their childhood until they become successful, the same should also be said to their teachers who had taught them and ensure their success.

“Do not forget to thank your parents, teachers and the government for helping us throughout the time,” he said.

UMSKAL was the 24^th location for their Love Malaysia Campaign organised by IRB, and the last for this season.

Meanwhile, Dr. Murnizam thanked IRB for choosing UMSKAL as their location for this campaign, and as an expression of love towards our country.

He also welcomed collaboration with government agencies, private and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in organising a variety of programmes that benefits the campus community.

“Together with the campus community, I am proud and lucky to have experienced and gained knowledge through Datuk Aznil who is also the icon of the Love Malaysia Campaign.

“I am confident that the success of this collaboration with IRB in organising such programme had benefitted the community in Labuan, in particular secondary school students and undergrads of UMSKAL,” he said.

Source: Azri Onn Othman, UMSKAL

WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY – A total of four debaters from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) showed great potential at the Peace Debate 2016 that recently took place at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), Kuala Lumpur.

Sharing the same concept as the British parliament debate, UMS was represented by two groups UMS A comprising of Mohd Faisal Abd Roup and Mohd Fazrul Abd Rahim, whilst Team B was represented by Nur Medina Khairul Anuar and Kuan Yen Hong.

Mohd Faisal and Mohd Fazrul were eliminated in the semi-final but the experience of going through five earlier rounds in the pre-quarter had given an invaluable experience to both.

According to Mohd Faisal who were crowned Royal Best Debater 2014, UMS team would continue to work towards making UMS a team to be reckoned with in this country.

“The coaches will provide us with greater focus for the upcoming two most prestigious debating competition namely Royal Debate and Environmental Debate,” he said, adding that UMS debate teams were trained by the Deputy Director of the Centre for Strategic and Academic Management UMS, Associate Professor Dr. Ramzah Dambul and UMS alumni, Mohd Qhairol Iqhssan.

For UMS Woman debater, Nur Medina Khairul Anuar, the support given by the university to students, especially those in public speaking would produce graduates with added value and able to assess an issue with more rational.

“The consistent support from the Student Affairs Department UMS in developing soft skills of students through debating activity should be continued so as to make UMS visible globally,” he said. – (fl)

TUESDAY, 23 FEBRUARY – The Maulidur Rasul ‘Riang Ria’ Programme organised by the Islamic Centre Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently was to educate children as young as four years old to be trained and educated on the meaning of unity and love, based on Islam.

Director of UMS Press, Associate Professor Dr. Asmady Idris in his speech at the launching of the programme said that this programme was also participated by parents and able to unite and forge closer ties among participants and their parents, as well as teach them the value of respect.

“Children are like a piece of white cloth and parents are responsible in giving patterns to their children’s life,” he said.

He added that such programme should be continued in the future with improvements on the diversity of competitions, to be more creative and interesting.

The programme organised in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul UMS level 1437H also featured colouring competition and fashion show, opened to children aged between 4 and 12 years old.

A total of 100 participants participated in the competition which was divided into three categories according to age, with winners for each category receiving cash prize of RM100, certificate and other additional prizes, whilst the 1^st runner-up cash prize of RM70, certificates and other additional prizes and the 2^nd runner-up cash prize of RM50, certificate and other prizes.

Also present at the event were UMS Registrar, No’man Hj. Ahmad and UMS Islamic Affairs Senior Officer, Md. Razali Saibin. – SM (fl)

Photo: Malik Hanafi, Islamic Centre UMS