Politics and Divine Intervention

Members of the BCCM KK Benevolence Committee have finally shared the photographs of the newly upgraded access road leading from Jalan Tuaran to the BCCM KK Cemetery, completed on 04.09.2025. This time, the road has been resurfaced with bitumen and enhanced with clear road markings - making it smoother, safer, and more accessible for all.

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Before (left photos) and After the Upgrading Work (right photos).

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Securing the government’s intervention to improve and upgrade the access road has been a long and arduous journey. The latest push began on 22 April 2023, when we successfully invited MP Mustapha Sakmud, the Member of Parliament for Sepanggar cum Deputy Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, to personally inspect the site and consider allocating funds for the proposed upgrading works. Following his visit, a formal application - complete with an engineering design plan, technical details prepared by our consultancy, and cost estimates- was duly submitted to his office.

This application was not our first attempt. Over the years, we had made numerous appeals to local State Assemblymen and members of parliament for assistance. One who had rendered some help was YB Yee Moh Chai (State Assemblyman for Api-Api from 1994 - 2013), but unfortunately, the repairs carried out under such initiatives were piecemeal and cosmetic. The works were often done without adherence to proper road construction specifications, serving more as a gesture to “please and appease” rather than a sincere attempt to resolve the problem. The "repaired" road soon after fell into disrepair.

After MP Mustapha’s site visit, it was later discovered that the road does not, in fact, fall under the Sepanggar constituency. Responsibility was then referred to MP Chan Foong Hin, the Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu cum Deputy Minister of Plantation & Commodities Malaysia, for further action.

Arrival of MP Mustapha Sakmud to site
on 22.04.23.

Briefing MP Mustapha Sakmud about the 

proposed access road upgrading works.

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Upgrading work finally started on 25.06.2025 and completed on 04.09.2025 - almost two and half years since we liaised with the authority for the proposed upgrading works!

Group photo just before commencement of
work on 25.06.25.

Group photo taken during the joint site inspection 

on 12.09.2025 following the final completion of 

the works, joined by YB MP Chan Foong Hin 

(in yellow T-shirt).

In appreciation of the valuable assistance extended by YB MP Chan Foong Hin, he and his team were invited to a luncheon at a local restaurant on 12.09.2025. The gathering, held immediately after the joint site inspection organized by the Benevolence Committee of BCCM KK, served as a meaningful occasion for fellowship and gratitude. Regrettably, I was unable to attend the luncheon as I was away on a tour to Russia at the time.

In Sabah, there has long been a common perception that the period leading up to an election is the most opportune time to seek assistance from the authorities through politicians, particularly for the implementation of small community projects. Sabah state election is scheduled to be held not later than the end of the year. Hence, the recently completed access road, which now serves five cemeteries under the care of both the churches and the Chinese association, stands as a timely example. It certainly provides a strong campaign boost for the incumbent candidate.

Yet, one cannot ignore the deeper truth - that the success of such an initiative depends not only on political timing but also, on a touch of divine intervention.