By John T.
PAPAR: Students in Papar expressed their love for the country through patriotic songs in the inaugural Papar District School Patriotic Voice Competition 2025 here yesterday, held in conjunction with the National Day celebration.
The competition, which was organised by the Papar District Kumpulan Penggerak Penglibatan Ibu Bapa, Komuniti dan Pihak Swasta (KPIBKS) in collaboration with the Papar District Education Office and WSG Group, saw the participation of 64 students from 30 primary and secondary schools in the district.
WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the patriotic song singing competition was not only an entertainment but also served as a platform to instil the spirit of patriotism.
“Through patriotic songs, love for the country can be expressed more effectively, while also instilling a sense of pride as Malaysians.
“This celebration reminds us of the high value of peace and independence, while also calling on us to continue to work together to build a harmonious and prosperous society,” she said when officiating at the closing and prize-giving ceremony of the competition at the WSG Group showroom at Benoni here.
The WSG Group is the main sponsor of the competition that contributed the venue, refreshments, cash prizes and trophies for the event.
Susan said such programmes could be continued to further invigorate the spirit of patriotism, strengthen the unity of the people, and produce a generation that loves the country with an independent spirit.
“This programme is also the main platform for us to strengthen racial unity and enliven the celebration of National Day,” she said.
On another note, Susan said the Parklane Residences Lifestyle Condominium is an affordable housing investment that is poised to appreciate in value once the surrounding amenities are completed.
She said the condominium units are priced from RM246,000 onwards, while buyers enjoy a special Merdeka promotion discount of RM5,000 and an additional five per cent discount for bumiputeras.
The booking fee for the condominium is only RM50, she added.
She said her company is going to build a sports arena at Parklane City in two years’ time, complete with badminton courts, pickleball courts and futsal courts.
Meanwhile, she revealed that the North Borneo University College (NBUC) is planning to establish its campus in Parklane City in the next two to three years.
Furthermore, a shopping mall will be built in the thriving commercial hub, with Parkson as its anchor tenant.
“The property value at Parklane City is going to double in four years, not to mention the proposed new airport in Kimanis.”
Meanwhile, Ampuan Suhaini bin Haji Ampuan Kassim, Assistant Officer of the Students Development Sector, who represented the Papar District Education Officer, said the programme has not only uncovered singing talents among the students but also made the National Day celebration even more meaningful.
He also thanked Susan for her generosity in supporting the competition and complimented her for developing a major project, namely Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City in Papar.
“Papar is increasingly more developed, thanks to the Benoni Commercial Centre and Parklane City projects.
“We thank Datuk Susan for bringing such a major project to Papar, which makes Papar a well-known district in Sabah now.”
A total of 50 pupils from 24 primary schools and 14 students from six secondary schools took part in the competition. A preliminary round was held on Saturday to select six finalists from both categories to compete for the top spots yesterday.
For the primary school category, Syifa Syahmina binti Ridzuan from SK Kelatuan won the first prize, followed by Nur Raisyah Rania binti Abdulla (SK Pengalat Kecil) in the second spot and Ayra As’syifa binti Aidey (SK Benoni) in the third place, respectively.
As for the secondary school category, Chelveonne Thaddeus from SMK Benoni won the first prize, followed by Eldeeva Clare Wilfred (SMK St Joseph) and Benardo Heavenly Clifferson (SMK St Mary Papar), who won the second and third prizes, respectively.
The first prize winners received an RM500 cash prize, while the first and second runners-up received RM300 and RM150 cash prizes, respectively. The top three winners also received a trophy and certificate each.
Meanwhile, the consolation prize winners received RM50 cash and a certificate.
Also present were Mohd Yade bin Ag Matusin, Assistant Officer of the Schools Management Sector of the Papar Education District Office, and Rosmadi Hasmail, focal person of the Papar district and chairman of Papar District KPIBKS.
