PAPAR: A newly completed RM3.5 million student hostel at Papar Middle School is expected to house more students from remote areas to pursue their education comfortably at the Chinese independent secondary school.
WSG Group managing director Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen said the school’s educational dream of completing the 96-bed hostel has come to reality.
She said the lack of proper hostel facilities had previously made it difficult for students from outside Papar to enrol at the school.
“I understand that Papar Middle School is a Chinese independent secondary school located in a small town outside the city.
“For students who come from more distant areas, without hostel facilities, some of them may not have the opportunity to come here to study.
“So, with this newly constructed student hostel providing 96 beds, more students from remote areas will now get the chance to come to Papar Middle School and pursue their education with peace of mind,” she said.
Susan said this in her speech at the opening of the new student hostel at Datin Sri Panglima Wong Chen Si Mui Building at the school, here on Friday. She and her mother, Datin Sri Panglima Wong Chen Si Mui together officiated the new hostel.
She said the theme of the event, “Passing the Torch • Walking Together in Gratitude”, was particularly meaningful as the hostel represented a collective effort by the school, donors and the wider community to support education.
She said the hostel, named the Datin Sri Panglima Chen Si Mui Student Hostel, is more than a building as it can serve as a gateway to greater educational opportunities for students.
“I believe that what we are opening today is not simply a new hostel, but we are actually opening a door to the future.
“We are building a future for our children. Hence, I hope that every student who eventually lives in this hostel will treasure this opportunity.
“Study hard, grow with determination, become a better version of yourself, and prepare yourself well for the future,” Susan said.
She said the hostel held special significance for her as Papar was her mother’s hometown.
“This occasion is very meaningful to me because this hostel has been named after my beloved mother, Datin Sri Panglima Wong Chen Si Mui, who is now 96 years old and celebrating her birthday in October.
“What makes it even more special is that this newly opened hostel also has 96 beds,” she said.
Susan said that although her mother had never had the opportunity to attend school, she had always emphasised the importance of education to her and her siblings, as she (Chen Si Mui) believed that education could change a person’s life“By naming this hostel after my mother, I hope that her love and commitment to education can remain here in her hometown,” she said.
Susan hoped that the hostel would become an important starting point for many young people, particularly those who previously struggled to access education at the school because of the distance.
She thanked the school’s board of directors, principal, teachers, donors and everyone involved in constructing the facility.
“It is because of everyone’s collective effort that we can stand here today and witness this important milestone together,” she said.
Susan said she hoped the hostel would provide students with a safe, comfortable, and inspiring environment where they could study and grow.
“May they find their own light here, discover their dreams, and go on to create a bright and meaningful future of their own,” she said.
Upon completing their studies at the school, she added that the students can continue their tertiary studies at the upcoming North Borneo University (NBU), to be completed in Dec, next year at Parklane City, which is just a walking distance from the school.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Papar Middle School Vincent Chee Man Foh said they are very thankful to Susan and generous donors who contributed to the construction of the new hostel for the students.
“Previously, the students who needed the accommodation were placed at the old hostel across the main road adjacent to the school.
“But with the increasing number of students in need of the facility, we could not accommodate them. That is why we are very grateful to the donors, including Datuk Susan Wong, for their generosity until the new hostel is completed, finally,” he said.
Vincent said the construction of the new hostel started before Covid-19 and it received its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) issued last year.
In addition, he said the new hostel built within the school area ensures the students’ safety, as they do not have to fear for their lives when crossing the main road that would be upgraded, believed to have four lanes in the coming years.
Also present were Chok Nyuk Chaw, Principal of Papar Middle School, Alumni members, Chinese leaders and community from various Chinese associations.
