Free milk for Sabah pupils – uniforms and shoes to be next
Published on: Saturday, October 22, 2022
By: Dailly Express
Text Size:
Harris (seated in glasses) with children at the launch.
1980: Chief, Minister Datuk Harris launched the Sabah Foundation Milk Distribution scheme for students in primary schools in the State – the first such programme in the country.
Under the programme, some 180,000 students will be given chocolate-flavoured milk four times a week.
The scheme, a brainchild of the Chief Minister, will cost Sabah Foundation $10 million the first year. It was implemented after studies of similar programmes in nations like Kenya and Indonesia.
“This way we are easing the burden of parents with low income especially in the rural areas,” Harris said at its launch at Kampung Buayan in Penampang.
Harris noted that children in these areas often reported for lessons looking exhausted because their parents cannot afford a meal. This, in turn, resulted in them losing interest in studies and dropping out.
Harris said the next phase of the programme will involve the distribution of free uniforms and shoes.
OCTOBER 16
North Borneo Chinese Association formed
1961: A North Borneo Chinese Association was formed at Meeting in Jesselton by delegates representing the Chinese Chambers of Jesselton, Papar, Kudat, Tenom and Tawau. An interim committee was set up headed by Hong Teck Guan of Tawau and Francis Chia as Vice Chairman.
No basis for Manila claim to Sabah
1962: Sir Geoffrey Tory, British High Commissioner for Malaya said the Philippine Government’s claim on North Borneo would not hamper the formation of Malaysia.
He said British law officers had studied the case thoroughly and concluded that the Philippine Government had no valid on North Borneo.
OCTOBER 10
First amateur boxing contest
1966: The Sabah Amateur Boxing Association staged the first Borneo Inter-Territorial contest in Jesselton.
OCTOBER 12
Tenom power project
1980: Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh launched the $270 million Tenom-Pangi hydro power project in Tenom.
He also said four big HEP stations would be developed in Haligilat, Papar, Kinabatangan and Labuak.
Harris ignited explosives to break through a tunnel which will carry water mains to the power station. Earlier a solemn Japanese ceremony was performed at the tunnel’s centre to invoke blessings for the safety of the workers and project’s success.
OCTOBER 13
Gurkha troops pull out of Sabah
1966: the 2nd Battalion 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles from the Interior Residency withdrew to their normal base in Seria.
Their operations have been taken over by Malaysian Security Forces. For the past two years the battalion have been on active service in East Malaysia, the longest unbroken tour of duty of any British or Commonwealth unit in the area.
The Battalion arrived from Hong Kong in June, 1963, to face the initial stage of confrontation policy by the Indonesian Sukarno Government. They took part in operations around Limbang, Tawau, Lawas and Sibu. They returned to Hong Kong in September before returning the following year and were Posted to Seria.
Their first contact with the enemy occurred in Bario area of Sarawak when a group of Indonesian infiltrators were successfully repelled. A number of Indonesian infiltrators were killed in follow-up operations and the latter developed a respect for the border region patrolled by the battalion.
More ants because fewer anteaters
1966: Ants are on the increase in Sabah because the scaly ant-eater, an animal that is native to the State, is fast becoming extinct because of demand for its sweet tender flesh. Its scales are also believed to be of medicinal value and used for protection against evil spirits.
Living solely on a diet of ants, these animals are known to 7 starve themselves to death in captivity.
OCTOBER 14
British troop pullout from Sabah complete
1966: The last batch of British forces stationed in Sabah left aboard an army ship for Singapore.
The men, numbering about 340, were previously stationed in Tawau. This completes the British pullout from Sabah, following the end of confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia.
Borneo Students form group in Brisbane
1961: The Borneo Students Association of Queensland was formed in Brisbane. It comprised 47 students - 22 from North Borneo, 18 from Sarawak and seven from Brunei.
The originator and founding president is James Ongkili from Tambunan, studying for matriculation to the University of Queensland in arts-law under the Colombo Plan.
It was the first of its kind in Queensland and was aimed at coordinating the cultural and social activities of Borneo students and provide for a better understanding between the peoples of Borneo and Australia.
ADVERTISEMENT
