CM among prominent leaders produced by St Paul

Not many are aware that SM St Paul has produced some prominent leaders and citizens. In the words of the school's Golden Jubilee Celebration Organising Chairman ,Vincient Kok and Dr. Allen Mathews (both Ex St Paulians), the 1970 Senior Cambridge School Certficate class saw a bright rising star among the students.

He is non other than our current Chief Minister of Sabah.,YAB Datuk Seri Musa Hj Aman. Datuk Seri has continued to show interest in the development of St Paul's school. We have invited him to grace the occasion on August 18th. they said.

A delegation from the organising Commitee and ex-St Paulians led by Kok ,recently paid a courtesy call on Musa to brief him on the event. According to Kok, and Dr. Mathews , Musa has a soft spot for both primary and secondary schools. Through the intercession of the CM, the school managed to build its computer lab ,complete with some 30 computer sets, with financial assistance from the State Government.

On Nov11, 2006 ,the CM declared open the lab ,witnessed by then Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Govt. Dato Hjh Azizah DSP Hj Mohd Dun, Klias Assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin, Director of Education Normah Gagoh, then Beaufort District Wong Foo Tin, chairman of the school management Board Vincient Kok ,Board members and ex-students. Despite his busy schedule ,Musa turned up for the 2004 reunion of ex-stpaulians at the residence of Dr.Mathews in KK. Former teacher cum acting principal Father Colin Hurford and wife Margaret

were also present. State minister of community Development & Consumer Affairs ,Dato Hjh Azizah DSP Hj Mohd Dun is an 'old girl' of the school. She completed Form 3 at the school in 1971 before joining Maktab Sabah and later became the State first woman magistrate .

In fact, her father the late Datuk Mohd Dun Banir then an Usno-Lumadan Assemblyman declared open the St Paul's Science Lab in June 25th 1965, according to our records", said Dr.Mathews.

As member of Parliament for Beaufort (2004-2008) now as State Minister, she had rendered assistance to the school within her capacity. I believe in giving incentives in cash or kind such as certificate of merit to academic achievers from the PMR/SPM examinations. I'll continue to do so as much as possible." said Azizah who had donated jerseys and computers ,among other necessities ,to her alma mater.

Currently, Dr. Mathews is spearheading efforts to start an alumni association. "I have accepted the post of Protem Chairman for the benefit of the secondary school" he said.

UiTM professor Rahman Kimsin and Beaufort District Officer Mohd Sidek Hj Abdul Jubar are also 'old boys'. Current Head of the education service sector (State education department), Bali Yusof and retired Head of the school sector Mohd Shafie Matzain completed Form 5 at SM St Paul in 1971.

"Dato Azizah was our schoolmate " recalled Bali, also an ex-teacher of the school. Other ex-students from the earlier batches ,who have carved successful careers for themselves in their working life included : Datuk Stephen Foo (former state attorney general) ,Chok Chin Tian (former Chief executive officer of Sabah Medical centre) ,Datuk Rahid Gador and Foo Fook Ming (veteran politicians), Chin Chee Kee (Chairman of the KK Charitable Foundation & Secretary of the Labuan Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry ) Charles Ungas Bodok (Former Sabah Rubber Industry Board Deputy GM) Kamis Awang Ali (former Dep Director (2) of Sabah Foundation), Shaddy Hj Nashah (ex-Asst District Officer) and retired police officers Absul Mali Abbas and Robert Linggi. Chin has made a donation of RM1000 in support of the school's Golden Jubilee celebration.

Special Report
DAILY EXPRESS
10 Aug 2008