Teaching Roots, Global Dreams - The Story of a Sabah Family

It was about two months ago that I last visited Papar on 26.09.2025 (Read here). Thanks to my wife, I had another chance on 22.11.2025 to drive her to attend another wedding celebration of the daughter of Abidin, a former high school principal in the District of Papar.

Remarkably, it had been almost twenty years since my wife left SMK St, Mary in 2006. And now, Abidin has since risen to become the Deputy Director of the Sabah State Education Department.

The celebration was held at his home in Kampong Berundong to mark the wedding of his daughter, Nur Khaleeda, and her Irish husband, Matthew O’Riodan - both of whom are medical doctors.

Later, in a casual conversation with Abidin, we asked whether any of his children had followed in his footsteps by becoming teachers. His answer was no. Through that exchange, it became clear that in many rural parts of Sabah, the older generation often began their careers as teachers, an honorable and stable profession that opened doors for entire families. Over time, this foundation in education has enabled many of their children to pursue higher education and rise to become doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals.

The marriage of Matthew, who comes from Ireland, a predominantly Roman Catholic country (over 70%) to a Muslim woman from Sabah represents yet another sign of generational change. In an increasingly interconnected world, such unions are becoming more common, reflecting broader openness and global exposure among today’s youth. It would not be surprising if the newlyweds eventually choose to build their future in Ireland or the UK rather than in Sabah.

This shift symbolizes a wider societal transformation: as education, mobility and global awareness expand, younger generations are empowered to imagine possibilities far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns.

With the bride's father, Abidin and another ex-staff member of SMK St. Mary, Limbahau, Mr. Han.

With the newly wed couple, bridegroom's parents and his brother. 

With Halim, brother-in-law of the bride's father. We attended the wedding of the son of Halim also held in Papar back on 02.12.2023 (Read here).

With Halim's wife (2nd from left) and Aziz (right), a former lecturer of Gaya Teachers Training College where my wife spent almost three years (2006 - 2008) as the Deputy Director of the college.