Chinese veterans group urges more community members to join armed forces
MACVA president Lieutenant Colonel (R) Wong Ah Jit said previous generations of the Chinese community had also served and defended the country.
"A military career is not an easy path, but it builds character, instils discipline, develops leadership and, most importantly, provides an opportunity for young people to be directly involved in nation-building and shoulder the responsibility of protecting the people.
"The current generation should continue this tradition and ensure the Chinese community continues to have a voice, presence and contribution in the armed forces," he said in a statement today.
Wong said MACVA called on Chinese families and community organisations nationwide to support their young people in exploring military service, and encourage them to don the uniform proudly and build meaningful careers in national defence.
"This is our country, our land, and national defence should not be without the presence and contribution of the Chinese community.
"Joining the military does not mean giving up on dreams. It means choosing a different path with greater challenges," he said.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Sabah heritage water village gets RM50,000 cleanup boost
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying (third right) presents a RM50,000 mock cheque to support cleanup efforts in Kampung Sim Sim. SANDAKAN: Kampung Sim Sim in Sandakan, one of Malaysia's oldest water villages, is getting a lifeline after years of pollution. This week, the Federal Government allocated RM50,000 to support coastal and environmental cleanup efforts in the historic settlement, home to more than 7,000 residents and dating back to 1879. Located on the east coast of Sabah, Sandakan is known for its rich history and coastal communities, many of which are built on stilts above the sea. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, during a visit to the site with Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee yesterday, handed over a mock cheque to Persatuan Harapan Dinamik Sabah to fund waste disposal activities around Bridge 8, an area known for persistent marine pollution. The visit included a walkabout at Lorong H to inspect the ongoing cleanup, which forms part of broader efforts to rehabilitate the village. 'It may be convenient to throw rubbish into the sea, but the consequences are severe – it pollutes the environment and increases the risk of diseases,' Lim said, urging residents to take shared responsibility for coastal cleanliness. She stressed that such issues require proactive discussions and cooperation between all levels of government and the community to find sustainable solutions. Wong said her team has been leading the cleanup since last year, removing more than 300 tonnes of waste — including debris deeply embedded in mud and the seabed — using heavy machinery. 'The rubbish situation here was extremely serious — we had to hire an excavator to dig through saltwater and remove years of accumulated garbage,' she said. 'But after starting this initiative last year, we've seen real change. Seawater is finally flowing back into the area, and recently we even spotted jellyfish and crabs returning. That shows the ecosystem is healing.' She added that despite limited annual parliamentary funds, she had prioritised RM50,000 for this project for two years running and was grateful for federal backing. 'This allocation is not just financial support — it affirms our community's efforts to rehabilitate this environment,' she said. Wong also revealed that her parliamentary office had begun repainting the exterior of some ageing stilt houses to beautify the area and attract more tourists, restoring both pride and potential to the long‑overlooked village. She urged residents in Kampung Sim Sim, Tanjung Aru, and other water villages including those in Batu Sapi to stop dumping rubbish into the sea. 'When rubbish falls on land, you just need a broom and shovel to clean it up. But once it ends up in the sea, we need machines to dig it out — and the cost is far greater,' she said. It has been reported over the years that certain parts of Kampung Sim Sim have struggled with severe waste buildup, particularly beneath and around the wooden stilt houses. Once a vibrant waterfront community, the area had become increasingly polluted due to inconsistent waste management and years of dumping into the sea. As one of Sandakan's oldest settlements and a symbol of Sabah's coastal heritage, the village's deteriorating condition has long been a concern among conservationists and locals alike. The current cleanup represents one of the most coordinated efforts yet, with both federal and local support finally converging on a shared solution.
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Nibong Tebal project brings old tales to light
THINK about history and heritage in Penang and the first location that comes to mind is the Unesco World Heritage site of George Town on the island. But some areas on the mainland – such as Nibong Tebal in south Seberang Perai – have equally rich histories. And thanks to a community initiative, this has now come to light. The Nibong Tebal Cultural Heritage Project took six months to document the town's stories, traditions and places. From its quaint old town to colonial-era estates, riverside fishing villages and vast padi plantations, there were countless narratives to be uncovered. The aim was to give locals and tourists alike a better appreciation of the area's tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets, and ensure they were not lost to time. Project members recording oral history over drinks with community leaders of Nibong Tebal at an eatery along the Sungai Udang Jetty. The project was done by Penang Arts Education Society (Arts-ED) in partnership with Think City and the Finance Ministry, and funded by the Seberang Perai Small Town Grant Programme. Project manager and community connector Chen Yoke Pin said their six-member team started work in November 2024. They had in-depth dialogues with local residents at places like the Sungai Udang and Sungai Acheh fishing villages, the former Caledonia Estate and Nibong Tebal Old Town. The team also did extensive research, scouring through archival sources and old photographs to outline a comprehensive history of the town located near the Perak border. This culminated in the production of an illustrated booklet titled 'Navigating the Legacies of Nibong Tebal' containing a cultural assets map and historical timeline, which are available in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese at various community hubs across the district. There is also a website and digital version of the booklet. The booklet, 'Navigating the Legacies of Nibong Tebal' is available in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese. These were launched in a ceremony at a cafe presided over by Jawi assemblyman H'ng Mooi Lye. During the event, Chen said they initially looked at various towns across north and south Seberang Perai to carry out the project, but ultimately settled on Nibong Tebal as there was much less documentation done. 'Many people only know the place as a destination for seafood and other cuisines, as well as certain places of interest. 'But we wanted to highlight the deeper historical and cultural heritage of the place and tell a more holistic story that few outside the local community knew,' added Chen. Project coordinator and researcher Amanda Chin said much of the town's history had not been properly documented in official accounts or photographs. 'Most of what we could find were little pieces of information, usually from colonial sources, which we had to carefully piece together. 'A lot of the local stories were only passed down as oral history so we had to speak with many people to learn about these things and make sense of it all. South Seberang Perai eco-tourism council members briefing Chin (centre) on the Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple's history. 'This often proved challenging as there were missing parts. 'We had to take great care to represent the place well,' Chin said, adding that the locals were appreciative of their efforts to celebrate the area's heritage. Chen said, 'They were very enthusiastic in sharing their cherished memories about growing up and living here. 'The materials we produced are not merely data but a testament to a participatory process that strengthened people's sense of ownership and collective identity related to Nibong Tebal.' Origins of the town According to the team's findings, Nibong Tebal can trace its origins back to around 1700 with early Malay settlers who practised subsistence farming and fishing. It was originally called Kerian due to its location on the northern bank of Sungai Kerian, before acquiring the present moniker due to the Nibong palm that grew abundantly in the area. Among the Chinese immigrants who started coming in the 1790s were Teochews who engaged in sugarcane farming and called the place Ko-Heng-Kang, which later evolved into Ko-Ean, a term still in use today. The turn of the century saw the British acquiring Penang island (then Prince of Wales island) and Seberang Perai (then Province Wellesley) from the Kedah Sultanate. Chin said the colonialists further developed the sugarcane infrastructure and mechanised processing to meet demand, which led to the founding of the Nibong Tebal Old Town around a jetty along Sungai Kerian in the 1830s for collection and distribution of agricultural goods. By the 1850s, the British also brought in Tamils from India to work in the plantations. This gave rise to 'sugar kings' like the Ramsden family who owned Penang Sugar Estates Ltd, and Chinese towkays like Khaw Boo Aun, who also dabbled in tobacco. Following the redelineation of the Province Wellesley-Perak border with the Pangkor Treaty of 1874, padi farming also took hold. The river remained the main artery for transportation of people and goods until 1902 when the railway line between Perai and Bukit Mertajam was linked to Perak's network. Plantations largely transitioned from sugarcane farming to rubber around 1913 due to the rubber boom. The next growth spurt came around the 1930s. 'Many businessmen set up offices, warehouses or services such as laundries and barber shops along new roads like Jalan Atas, Lorong Boo Aun, Jalan Baru and Jalan Pintu Sepuluh in the old town. 'This was a catalyst for rapid expansion,' Chin said. During the Malayan Emergency in the aftermath of World War II, anti-colonial sentiment persuaded the British to sell their plantations to locals. It all came to a head with the 1948 murder of the last Ramsden heir at Caledonia House on Byram Estate – better known as the 99 Door Mansion – a crime which still remains unsolved. This, coupled with the mansion's use as a torture chamber by Japanese soldiers during the war, gave rise to legends of hauntings and unexplained phenomena. Following Malayan independence, a local administration was formed, with V. Veerappen elected as the first MP of south Seberang Perai. In the 1980s, economic diversification schemes saw the establishment of oil palm plantations, inland fisheries, industrial parks and new residential and commercial developments alongside improved roads, bridges and rail lines, accelerating its modernisation. Today, Nibong Tebal has a population of about 40,000. Enduring legacies Chen said the booklet, map and website list 13 tangible legacies and six intangible legacies, which are split between urban and rural Nibong Tebal. Tangible ones include the Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple, established in 1866 by Chinese settlers to worship Taoist deity Tua Pek Kong and Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam built by the Hindu community in 1924. There is also the Annai Arulmigu Maha Mariamman Temple, which commemorates its patron deity every March with a fire-walking festival and chariot procession. The Tanjung Berembang River Crossing, once home to a sampan service costing half a cent, is also highlighted alongside the Old Town Jetty that has today become a recreational hub for pleasure cruises, angling and firefly viewing. Agricultural entries include the Sungai Acheh padi fields and the oil palm plantations that were set up in the 1990s. The Sungai Udang Boardwalk and Sungai Udang Jetty, which are home to traditional fishing communities, are indispensable to the story much like the Nibong Tebal Old Town, which is still the centre of commercial activity. In addition to the myths around the 99 Door Mansion, another intangible legacy is the Sungai Udang Tsunami Miracle. 'A group of older residents told us how, during the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, huge waves parted just before reaching one particular village. 'It left it almost untouched while other nearby villages suffered some damage with mooring docks destroyed and dozens of boats overturned. 'They attribute this miracle to the protection offered by Machor, the guardian of seafarers. 'After seeing fish behaving erratically, a temple elder advised that they should pray and make offerings, which they did for three nights,' Chin revealed. Chiming in, Chen said this account showed how some stories remain relatively obscure beyond the immediate vicinity. 'Luckily, we were able to capture it in writing and through our illustrations,' she added. Elderly residents of the area also fondly recall the 'Bridges Over the River Kerian' – which were a railway bridge and steel arched bridge built in 1900 and 1925, respectively. The British intentionally blew them up in an unsuccessful effort to thwart the Japanese army's advance down the peninsula following their invasion of Malaya in December 1941. The annual Vinayagar Chaturthi celebration at the Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam is also mentioned, along with Pekan Selasa at Sungai Acheh which operates every Tuesday morning. For locals, the latter has long been the highlight of the week and their one-stop centre to shop for daily needs. Lastly, is the Traditional Padi Farming at Sungai Acheh, where farmers use a cooperative practice called berderau to lighten the workload. They take turns working each other's fields, which also fosters a spirit of community. Chen feels the small town charm is alive and well in places like Nibong Tebal, where everybody seems to know each other. 'They welcomed us in their dinner tables, homes and lives without hesitation or judgement,' she added. H'ng, who is also Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman, said the cultural values, collective memories and local wisdom of small towns like Nibong Tebal could inform future planning. 'Urban planning should not only focus on physical structures or habitable zones, but also preserve the soul and identity of a place. 'By mapping both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, this project allows us to reconnect with our cultural roots and preserve local history,' he said in his speech at the launch of the booklet. Looking forward, Chen said Arts-ED was open to collaborate with more local entities to map and share such stories, to ensure they are told not by outsiders but the community itself. Also present for the launch were Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) Department of Sustainable Development director Normaira Abdul Rahman and ThinkCity's Seberang Perai Small Town Grant Programme officer Khairuddin Darwazi. The public can obtain the physical booklet at H'ng's service centre, as well as that of Nibong Tebal MP Fadhlina Sidek and Sungai Acheh assemblyman Rashidi Zinol. It is also available at the Penang 2030 Centre @ C-Mart Nibong Tebal, South Seberang Perai Land and District Office, Firefly Jetty Cafe (Jalan Pasar Lama), Old Kwong Hock Keong Temple (Jalan Nuri), Sri Sithi Vinayagar Devasthanam (Jalan Ooi Kar Seng), Chop Chuan Guan (Jalan Pengkalan Rawa), Lim Aik Chew Curry Prawn (Tanjung Berembang), Enew Enterprise (Jia Zhen) in Jalan Atas. To download a digital copy, go to
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Kwong Siew Association celebrates Parents' Day, honors eldest members
Susan presents the Eldest Mother Award to her mother, Datin Seri Panglima Chen Si Mui. KOTA KINABALU (July 1): Kwong Siew Association Kota Kinabalu Sabah led by its president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen celebrated Parents' Day and Welfare Night on Sunday, which was attended by over 200 members. The event was also participated by a 20-member delegation from The Federation of Kwang Wai Siew Sarawak and Kwong Wai Siew Association Sibu. As part of the celebration, Susan and her committee joined elderly members on stage to cut the Parents' Day cake, whilst honouring the eldest father and mother of the association. The Eldest Mother Award goes to 95-year-old Datin Seri Panglima Chen Si Mui, the guest of honour and life honorary advisor of Kwong Siew Association Kota Kinabalu Sabah, who is also Susan's mother. The Eldest Father Award was presented to Datuk Anthony Chiu Nyuk Loi, 99, life honorary advisor and special guest of the evening. Both received an ang pow and gold pendant each. The association also presented ang pow to five member above 90 years old of the association. In addition, Chen, accompanied by Susan, gave away ang pows to the Welfare Committee to spread the joy of Parents' Day while showing care for the members. In her speech, Susan extended heartfelt wishes to all the parents in attendance and thanked everyone for their participation. As a major Chinese community association in Sabah, she said Kwong Siew Association Kota Kinabalu Sabah bears the important responsibility to preserve culture, serve its members, and fostering unity in the community. 'Filial piety is a core value in Chinese culture and one that the Kwong Siew community holds especially dear. 'By organizing events like Parents' Day and Welfare Night, we hope to instill values such as respecting elders, remembering our roots, caring for our community, and supporting each other, and to pass these values down through generations, so that our association always feels like home,' she said. She also expressed gratitude to past presidents, committee members, and predecessors for their dedication, which laid the foundation for the association's continued success. She urged all members to continue working together to promote Kwong Siew culture and achieve new milestones. On another note, Susan announced that the association will host the 2nd Sabah Kwong Siew Night on November 16, and invitations will be extended to Kwong Siew clans across Malaysia to convene in Sabah. She said the event was inspired by the annual Sarawak Kwang Wai Siew Night, which she attended in Kuching on December 1 last year. That gathering saw an enthusiastic turnout, even featuring Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian as the guest of honour, a testament to the strength of the Sarawak Kwong Siew community. 'This year, we will once again host the Sabah Kwong Siew Night at Port View Palace Hall on November 16,' she said. On a separate note, this year's Sarawak Kwang Wai Siew Night will be hosted by the Sibu Kwang Wai Siew Association on December 6 and 7. The evening concluded with a lucky draw, offering exciting prizes to the lucky winners and capping off the event in an atmosphere filled with joy, warmth and unity.
