CG Christmas Thanksgiving Lunch cum Birthday Celebration 2025

For the past two years, our CG Christmas cum Birthday celebrations were held at my home (Read here for 2023) and (Read here for 2024). This year - 2025, our CG leadership decided to do something different by holding the gathering at a local restaurant. The celebration took place in the early afternoon of 19.12.2025 and was attended by twenty-two people, including Monica, an ex-member who joined us as a guest.

Seeing Monica again after the passing of her late husband, Gerald, on 30.09.2025 (Read here), was heartwarming. Her thoughtful contribution of two home-cooked dishes of Bai Zhan Ji (white cut chicken) was a pleasant surprise which complemented the food we had ordered and was very much appreciated by everyone.

As the years pass, we have grown more aware that organising gatherings at new locations - especially those involving longer drives and more walking - has become increasingly challenging for many. 

That afternoon, we were fortunate to be the only customers inside the restaurant’s air-conditioned section. Once everyone was gathered and comfortably seated, we sang the familiar Christmas hymns, exchanged warm greetings, and the air was filled with joy and laughter, heightened by the Christmas season. In that timeless moment, it felt as though the years had gently faded away.

White cut chicken from Monica.

*************************************************

Taking advantage of the gathering of the full CG, my wife expressed her heartfelt thanks on behalf of SIEC (Sabah Inter-denominational Education Council) for the monetary gifts extended by our CG to two of its staff members in year 2025.

***************************************************

As with the previous two gatherings, the group encouraged me to share again my thought and reflection written in my blog posts. Though hesitant at first, I agreed. During my sharing, I mentioned a recent gathering with old friends who had once served in the church Children Sunday School and later in the Praise Kids ministry (Read here). To my surprise, I discovered that among our CG members were former Praise Kids teachers and van drivers.

This naturally brought back memories of the van drivers, including the late Vincent Lee (Read here). They were a dedicated group who served faithfully behind the scenes. Every Saturday afternoon, they would start early, driving across a wide area of Kota Kinabalu to pick up children from their homes. After the gathering, they would send the children back, return the vans to the church compound, and only then head home themselves. They were always the last to leave, quietly serving with commitment, sacrifice and love.

On a more personal note, I also shared about my grandson’s very first shave on 21.11.2025 - a small yet significant milestone marking his transition into adulthood. This drew spontaneous laughter from the audience as they marvelled at how swiftly time has passed. The little boy they once saw when my daughter returned to KK for the holidays from WA is now stepping into adulthood, a poignant reminder to all of us of just how quickly the seasons of life move along.

*************************************************

Left photo: With Jessie, a former teacher of Praise Kids.

Right photo: Former van drivers: Hyen Siong, Peter Tai and Jimmy Wong.

*************************************************

Each year, we hold several rounds of birthday celebrations, grouping members according to their birth months. This round, we honoured members born between October and December, with the exception of my wife - an August baby - who was given the honour of a belated celebration as she was unable to attend the earlier gathering.

Reuniting Over Lunch: Praise Kids Old-Time Volunteers

These days, whenever invitations from old friends arrive, whether for a simple meal or an informal get-together, we are far more inclined to accept them. As the years pass, such gatherings take on added significance, becoming precious opportunities to reconnect, remember and reflect on a shared past.

So, when friends who once served as teachers and helpers in our church’s Praise Kids ministry invited us to lunch at Hoola Hoop Cafe on 15.12.2025, we did not hesitate to join them.

Before this gathering, the last time some of these former teachers and helpers came together was at Kerry Lo’s home on 09.04.2023, where we enjoyed a sumptuous dinner. Each reunion, separated by years rather than months, serves as a gentle reminder of the passage of time and the enduring bonds forged through years of service.

It is only natural that, on such occasions, conversations turn to memories of our days in Praise Kids, formerly known as Children Sunday School and renamed as Praise Kids Celebration in 1999. Those years were not merely programmes or weekly routines, but a formative period marked by dedication, sacrifice and a shared sense of purpose.

The transition from Children Sunday School to Praise Kids Celebration represented an important chapter in the ministry’s history. It signalled a shift in vision and approach, accompanied by significant changes in manpower mobilisation, deployment and involvement. What had once been a largely church-based teaching ministry expanded into a broader outreach, intentionally drawing in children beyond the church community. Over time, activities and events were held in various venues, including halls and church buildings, and on one memorable occasion, at the auditorium of Wisma Berjaya - later acquired by SESB.

The ministry also became a place where young people were nurtured into service. Many teenagers, including our two sons, Samuel and Paul along with their peers, schoolmates and friends, were roped in to assist during major events. Among the most fondly remembered was the Super Space Party in the early 2000s, which brought together enthusiastic volunteers whose youthful energy added life and colour to the ministry.

The most recent get-together of former and current teachers and helpers on 15.12.2025.

****************************************************

An earlier gathering at Kerry's residence on 09.04.2023.

***********************************************

As with any reunion, it was only natural that old photographs were taken out, shared and fondly revisited with those who once laboured together in the ministry. Each image stirred memories of laughter, dedication and shared purpose. Yet woven into these moments of remembrance was a quiet sadness, for some among us have since departed and are now present only in memory.

Pastor Dannie Lee, the key motivator and guiding force during the pioneering years of Praise Kids in 1999 to 2001, was called home on 14.02.2019. Her encouragement and commitment laid a strong foundation for the ministry and left an enduring mark on all who served alongside her.

We also remembered Chio Cheng Leng, one of the two male teachers who faithfully served in those early days until early 2020s when illness prevented him from further service. He passed away on 10.03.2023. His presence, dedication to the children, and willingness to serve steadfastly are still fondly remembered by many.

Group photo of the whole team of teachers, helpers and volunteers after the Outer Space Party. 

Photo of my wife taken with Pastor Dannie Lee at the Outer Space Party.

A young boy who asked to have a photo taken with the "magician".

Final briefing just before the commencement of Outer Space Party.

**************************************************

The major shift from the traditional children’s Sunday School format to the Praise Kids Celebration lay in a renewed emphasis on teaching through object lessons and creative presentation. Lessons were no longer confined to the classroom alone. Instead, they were brought to life through narratives, dramatizations and performances that enlivened special occasions while gently imparting values and faith-based teachings. Together, these creative expressions marked a significant transformation in the ministry, reflecting a deliberate effort to make learning joyful, impactful, and memorable, while remaining rooted in visual, interactive and engaging approaches that left a lasting impression on young hearts and minds. 

Teachers would sometimes dress up in costumes that complemented the theme of the lesson, transforming themselves into characters that vividly illustrated biblical truths in a lively and relatable manner. These visual cues not only captured the children’s attention but also helped make the messages easier to understand and remember.

Magic shows were occasionally incorporated as another creative teaching approach, not for mere entertainment, but as a meaningful tool to illustrate spiritual principles in ways that resonated with young minds. Out of necessity, I volunteered and stepped into the role of a magician, using simple illusions to convey timeless lessons. To this day, some of those children, now grown, still greet me fondly as “The Magician” whenever we meet - a reminder of how deeply those moments stayed with them.

Puppet shows were also held from time to time, serving both as an effective storytelling medium and as an outreach effort to draw in new children. Through humour, dialogue and simple yet engaging performances, biblical truths and moral lessons were conveyed in a way that was easily understood and warmly received by young audiences, while remaining firmly rooted in their spiritual purpose.

***********************************************

Year 2000 Christmas celebration at Basel Hall.

Pastor Dannie Lee.

Chio Cheng Leng and Alfred Lee, the only two male teachers in this ministry.

Object lesson through magic show.

Puppets show.

*************************************************

In 2002 during the Harvest Festival holidays at the end of May and early June, the Praise Kids ministry’s outreach extended beyond the city when an out-of-town trip was organised to Nabawan, with a stop at BCCM, Keningau. Looking back today, these moments stand as milestones in the history of Praise Kids, memories of a season when faith, friendship and service intersected, leaving an enduring legacy in the lives of all who were part of it.

Above two photos: At BCCM, Keningau.

Above two photos: At BCCM Nabawan.

Persistent Turbulence of Sabah Politics - From 1963 to 2025

November 2025 drew to a close with a major shift in the Sabah State Election, which saw significant losses for several West Malaysian–based political parties. All eight DAP candidates were defeated. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) fielded 12 candidates and won one seat. Barisan Nasional (BN) contested 45 seats and secured six victories.

In the midst of the campaign, United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (UPKO) president Ewon Benedick resigned from the Federal cabinet just days before polling, following concerns over the Federal Cabinet’s position on the 40% special grant claim that had recently been affirmed by a court ruling in a suit brought by the Sabah Law Society. He also voiced his view that the new Sabah state cabinet should be composed solely of representatives from Sabah-based parties. Ultimately, however, he accepted a ministerial post in the new administration, which includes members from PH and BN. These developments have led many observers to question how the new cabinet will balance expectations of accountability, consistency and public confidence moving forward.

Another piece of puzzling political news involved STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan. Although STAR contested forty seats, the party managed to win only two. After learning that one of its two elected assemblymen - the representative for Bingkor - had been appointed as an Assistant Minister by the Chief Minister, Jeffrey Kitingan announced that STAR would remain in the opposition bloc while simultaneously allowing his party member to retain the Assistant Minister post. This contradictory stance has raised questions about political coherence and the ethical principles guiding the party’s decisions.

With such inconsistencies, many are left wondering whether a long-term culture of integrity and good governance can truly take root under the prevailing political mindset.

***************************************************

Sabah politics has never been short of drama, intrigue and calamity. In fact, it has experienced some of the most dramatic and turbulent political shifts in Malaysia since the nation’s formation in 1963.

USNO, which had governed Sabah since 1963, was defeated in the 1976 state election by the newly formed BERJAYA party. Berjaya secured 28 seats, while USNO won 20, ending more than a decade of USNO’s political dominance. After years of mounting public dissatisfaction over corruption, patronage networks, and uneven development under USNO’s rule, Berjaya campaigned on a platform centred on reform, clean governance and greater inclusivity - promising to restore integrity, efficiency and progress to the state.

However, the new administration was struck by tragedy just two months later. On 6 June 1976, several key members of Berjaya’s freshly appointed cabinet, including Chief Minister Tun Fuad Stephens were killed in the Double Six plane crash. The sudden loss of the state's top leadership not only shocked Sabah but also altered the course of its political and developmental trajectory.

To this day, many still wonder how different Sabah’s future might have been had that disaster never occurred.

Nine years later in 1985, Berjaya itself was toppled by another newly formed party: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS). In that election, PBS won 25 seats, Berjaya only 6, and USNO 16. The narrow PBS majority immediately triggered political tension. What followed was one of the most unsettling episodes in Sabah’s modern history.

Discontent quickly escalated into street riots, later known as the “Silent Riot.” The unrest involved bombings, arson, clashes between groups and widespread civil disorder, particularly in Kota Kinabalu, but also in Tawau and Sandakan. Reports described mobs setting fire to vehicles and shoplots, confronting police officers and causing chaos across the city. The situation became so severe that the authorities were forced to impose a dusk-to-dawn curfew to restore order. That incident was a dark chapter of Sabah.

I personally witnessed part of this turmoil firsthand. At the time the riot broke out in April 1985, my office was located on one of the upper floors of one of the three tower blocks of Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, overlooking Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. I was at my desk when I saw agitators beginning to overturn and burn cars below. Moments later, management instructed us to evacuate immediately and return home. It was a frightening and unforgettable moment - one that left a permanent black mark on Sabah’s political memory.

My office was located on one of the upper floors of the right tower of Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, giving me a clear view of the unfolding chaos. From there, I could see the rioters confronting the police before they surged down Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, beginning their rampage.

The above three photos kept in my album were taken at Karamunsing area next to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman after the curfew was lifted.

In the 1994 state election, PBS once again secured 25 out of 48 seats and Joseph Pairin Kitingan was duly appointed Chief Minister. However, within just two weeks, a wave of defections among PBS assemblymen caused the government to lose its majority. The administration collapsed almost overnight, prompting the Head of State (TYT) to invite Barisan Nasional (BN) - a West Malaysia political alliance, with UMNO as its central pillar, to form the new government. This episode remains one of Malaysia’s most cited examples of how political defections can overturn the electorate’s expressed will.

From that point until 2018 - a span of 24 years - the state government was dominated by BN, which won the subsequent state elections in 1999, 2004, 2008 and 2013. In the 2018 election, a newly formed Sabah-based party, Parti Warisan Sabah (WARISAN), allied with national opposition coalitions, won 29 seats. The WARISAN-led coalition subsequently formed the state government under Shafie Apdal. Following later political realignments, the coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) emerged victorious in the next election, securing 38 of 73 seats and assuming government leadership, while WARISAN held 32 seats as the opposition.

In the most recent election, many voters had hoped for a return to governance led by local Sabah-based parties, rather than coalitions largely directed from Peninsular Malaysia. However, that anticipated transformation did not materialize.

November 2025 - A Month Etched in Both Celebration and Sorrow

November 2025 will be remembered as a month filled with extraordinary events. On 26.11.2025, my grandson Nathan, proudly shared by his mother, began shaving for the very first time. It may seem like a small, quiet act but it carries deep meaning. Shaving marks a boy’s gradual transition into adolescence and eventually adulthood. It symbolizes the shift from dependence toward autonomy, responsibility and individuality.

Just two days later, Nathan boarded a flight with his classmates, leaving his hometown for an 8D7N school trip to Sydney and Canberra. Watching him embark on this journey filled me with both pride and nostalgia.

*****************************************************

His trip also stirred memories of my own very first visit to Sydney many years ago. It was back in August 1993, when my wife and I brought our three children on a tour to Australia, with Sydney as one of our stops. Serene, Nathan’s mother was slightly younger than Nathan is now.

It’s incredible how swiftly time moves. One generation grows up, and another begins the same journeys in their own way. Moments like these remind me of the gentle, beautiful continuity of life, how our stories echo through our children, and how every new milestone carries a piece of the past forward.

At the Sydney Opera House.

At Sydney Harbour Bridge.

At the Three Sisters rock formation in Blue Mountains.

At the Wildlife Park in Sydney.

***************************************************

On that very same day when Nathan shaved for the first time, news broke around the world of the deadliest fire in decades at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po District, Hong Kong. The tragedy claimed 146 lives and left 76 injured.

In the days that followed, heart-wrenching accounts from survivors emerged. One survivor expressed her anguish with words that deeply pierced the heart: “Forty years’ worth of memories have all been lost… All the old photos of my children are gone. It’s hard to recall what they looked like as kids, and that’s the most painful.”

Her grief was not only about the physical loss of possessions, but the irreplaceable disappearance of cherished memories, the moments captured in photographs that once preserved the faces, smiles and childhood of her children.

Hearing her words, I could almost feel the weight of her sorrow. To imagine living out the rest of one’s life without the comfort of those precious images is profoundly heartbreaking. It is a reminder of how fragile our keepsakes are, and how deeply they are tied to our sense of history, identity and family.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard old photos not only in albums, but also through digital backups - in clouds, personal archives, blogs or other secure platforms.