Christmas and New Year celebrations a merry event

19 January 2025

RANAU: The Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 Celebration for the Kundasang, Karanaan, and Paginatan State Assembly (DUN) areas took place at the Ranau District Community Hall today.

The joyful event was attended by around 5,000 people from various backgrounds, including political associates, local residents, and tourists from the United States and Sweden.

In his welcoming speech, the Deputy Chief Minister II, who is also the Kundasang Assemblyman, Datuk Seri Dr. Joachim Gunsalam expressed appreciation to the Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM) for all three constituencies for the success of the event.

He attended with his wife, Datin Seri Linda Ewit.

“Thank you to everyone who made this event a success. May this year be better for all of us,” said Dr. Joachim, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Housing (KKTP).

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister and Assemblyman for Karanaan, Datuk Seri Haji Masidi Manjun urged the residents of Ranau to continue to unite and work hard to develop their district.

“Sabah will progress if we all unite and work hard in one struggle,” he said.

The Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and Assemblyman for Paginatan, Datuk Abidin Madingkir emphasised the importance of cooperation and unity among the community.

The event also saw the presentation of contributions to various parties, including places of worship such as St. Peter Claver Church, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Borneo Evangelical Church, GPI Ranau Church, Anglican Church Ranau, and Basel Church, as well as institutions like Miftahul Ulum Orphanage in Kampung Sosondoton, Minal Lahdi Ihlal in Kg Siou, Minihas Village Orphanage, Tahfiz Haj Dungoi Kundasang, Transit Muallaf in Kg Lohan II, Don Bosco Children's Home, the Malaysian Education Service Retirees Association Ranau branch (5P), and the Thalassemia Association of Ranau.

These contributions were presented by all three Assemblymen as a sign of support for community development efforts.

The event was also enlivened with choir performances and dances from the churches that received contributions.

A cake-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate Dr. Joachim's birthday this month.

Among the distinguished guests present were the Member of Parliament for Ranau, Datuk Jonathan Yassin; appointed Assemblyman, Datuk Amisah Yassin; Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Assemblyman for Tandek, Datuk Hendrus Anding with his wife; Permanent Secretary of the Local Government and Housing Ministry (KKTP), Datuk Dr. Jamili Nais; political secretaries of KKTP, Datuk Jonnybone Kurum who is also the Assemblyman for Telupid, and Yubidi Gumpoyo; Special Officer to the Chief Minister, Datuk Arthur Sen; Community Development Leader (PPM) for DUN Kundasang, Dounis Sani; PPM for DUN Karanaan, Hisyamuddin Harun; and Executive Officer of the Ranau District Council, Elmer Endra M Sator; and members of the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Ranau.