STS 33rd Graduation 2022

While Sabah Theological Seminary (STS) finally has the opportunity to hold the 33rd Graduation Ceremony at its own Auditorium on 5th November 2022 without any restriction, I couldn't help but remember what a challenging time STS have encountered since 2020. First, it was the Covid 19 pandemic and then followed by a few major land slides.

Ever since the opening of the newly completed Multi-Purpose Education Centre in STS in early 2010 (Read here), STS has not had any major land slip until late 2020 and early 2021. Incessant heavy rainfall in late 2020 triggered four major land slides around the hill slope of the Multi-Purpose Education Centre. Getting these failed slopes repaired was the toughest challenge I faced since taking charge of the maintenance of all STS buildings and external infrastructures from the inception day of STS in late 1980's.

Aerial photo of two of the four land slides which occurred at the southern part of the hill.

After repair in late July 2022,

Northeast corner immediately after land slide.

After repair in mid-June 2022.

29 October 2022.

By the end of October 2022, creepers have literally overgrown over the whole concrete shotcrete reinforced with soil nails.

Repair of the landslide next to the Old Chapel (Read here) was equally challenging because the land boundary with the neighbouring land is midway along the hill slope. Any construction of permanent repair structure from the bottom of the hill beyond the boundary would be deemed encroachment into the neighbouring property. In the end, we were left with the option of constructing a new retaining wall founded on bored micro-piles along the hill slope as a remedial solution.

Land slide next to the Old Chapel's car park.

Aerial view of the new retaining wall taken in late July 2022.

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The repair of the failed slopes was completed well before the 33rd graduation ceremony on 5th November 2022. The ceremony in the afternoon proceeded smoothly from the beginning all the way to the end without any hitch. Eighty four students came on stage to receive their diplomas/degrees. Recipients include full time students, part-time students, online students and senior citizens.

STS Choir.

Ir. Chong Vun Fah, a professional engineer and an elder of BCCM KK(E) was conferred Master of Christian Ministries in the November 2022 graduation.

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STS is now recognized in Asia region as a reputable theological study institution. It is now accredited to offer doctorate degree. Many of my peers and friends have gone through this institution on part-time basis to secure training in Church Ministry, Christian Ministries among others.

Quite a number of BCCM KK(E) members received their scrolls in the November 2017 graduation.

In the Library after the graduation on 4 Nov 2017.

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Audience who were present in the 2018 graduation on 3 Nov 2018.

Group photo of the Board of Governors, faculty and graduating students after the November 2018 graduation.

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A few more BCCM KK(E) members with their scrolls after the November 2019 graduation.

Joseph Wong, Violet Liew and Theresa Wang.

Joseph Wong with friends and supporters.

Fraser's Hill After Almost 50 Years

I remember visiting Fraser's Hill at least twice in 1973. Once was a day trip of the Ex-fifians of the 5th Residential College Christian Fellowship in 1973. The second was an overnight stay in August 1973 by a few of the same fifian group. Though I have quite a number of old photos to show the numerous places I had been to - a waterfall (Read here), tennis court (Read here) and place of accommodation; still, I have very little vivid recollection of any of these places.

My wife is much better in recognizing places. As we drove around Fraser's Hill, she was quick to point to a directional sign which reads "Rumah Methodist". Instantly, she remembered that was where the Ex-fifians of the 5th Residential College Christian Fellowship Group visited in 1973. Rumah Methodist is just a mere 2.5Km away from where we stayed at the Silverpark Apartment.

Rumah Methodist is still being offered to the public for accommodation. However, it's exterior really looked old and unkept.  

Colourized photo.

Old photo of 1973 trip when we just

arrived at Rumah Methodist

Now, moss and green algae grew over surfaces of the roof and concrete kerb give an old and unkept appearance of this site.

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At the rear of the living quarter, I could instantly recall an old photo taken with a few Ex-fifian friends at that location in that particular day trip (Read here). It is truly amazing that I could still squat at the very same spot at Rumah Methodist after almost 50 years. 

After my graduation, this Ex-fifian group continued to meet up occasionally. We met in August 2009 (Read here) and again in August 2016 after David Tow came back from Sydney for the very last time (Read here). His health continued to deteriorate after going back to Sydney and he passed away on 2 October 2017.

Some of the men at the day trip in 1973.

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Some of our group members at the little open space
behind Rumah Methodist back in 1973.

Colourized photo.
Typical landscape at Fraser's Hill. We took a walk
along the sealed road back in 1973.

Colourized photo.

Colourized photo.
Photo of the Fraser's Hill outing group.

Original B/W.

Photo of the Fraser's Hill outing group.

Colourized photo.

Typical white colour low fence is still easily seen today.

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I am very certain I had my second trip in August 1973 because of a birthday cerebration we had that evening as recorded in an old photo. That August birthday girl eventually became my wife.!

David Tow was the cameraman.

KC Ho was the cameraman.

At the waterfall, most likely the Jeriau Waterfall!

Chilled Out at Fraser's Hill

Fraser's Hill, in a way is similar to Kundasang because of the cool climate and fresh air. The weather is rather similar with peak relative humidity at around 89% and an average temperature of around 20 degrees C. Kundasang seems to be wetter with more intense rainfall. The average annual rainfall is 2,900mm while Fraser's Hill is slightly less at 2,700mm. Surprisingly, very little land development has occurred in Fraser's Hill since the colonial era. It is still tucked in thick jungle, a good place to relax and chill out. On the other hand, rapid land utilization and development, some rather haphazardly in Kundasang has gradually made it becoming less and less attractive for a quiet retreat and chill out.

I had wanted to visit the waterfall and go for trekking at some of the mountain trails in Fraser's Hill. We did drive along the road to Jeriau Waterfall but had to abort the attempt when we saw the road closure sign. The road access to the Waterfall has been damaged by land slide. 

Our attempt to trek the nearby trails (Bishop Trial and Hemmant Trail) was hampered by the fairly frequent wet weather. My niece's earlier warning about the trails being infested with leeches did not help either but further dampened the desire. 

Awesome view from the balcony of Silverpark Apartment
where we stayed.

Sunrise at Fraser's Hill.

Mystic morning.

We were initially quite concerned whether there is lift facility at the accommodation where we would be staying. Fortunately, the 6-storey apartment where we stayed at the 5th floor do have a lift. That made access for my elderly MIL so much easier.

Interior of our accommodation.

We walked through the little town looking at some of the colonial era old buildings of British architecture. We also spent a fair amount of time looking at plants and flora at the vicinity of our accommodation and the nearly Taman Lady Guilemard. Bougainvillea is most common and planted all over the place.

At the iconic clock tower at the town centre.

Taman Lady Guilemard.

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Seeing durians sold by a roadside store at the little town was something we did not expect in Fraser's Hill. That evening, we had take-away from Hill View Restaurant plus durians for dinner!

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We wanted to have English afternoon tea and had booked for one at the Ye Olde Smokehouse on 22 October. Olde Smokehouse, a boutique hotel with old colonial English architecture and furniture is said to offer English afternoon tea which comes with home-made scones and strawberry jam. In the end, we had to forgo the appointment because of intense rain. That same evening, we went to Aida Daniya Restaurant & English Teahouse for dinner. Built on a hill site, it has a commanding view of the landscape below. The site of Aida Daniya is designated as Km 0 of Fraser's Hill. This restaurant is probably the centrepoint of Fraser's Hill!

Dinner at Aida Daniya Restaurant & English Teahouse.