Kota Kinabalu & Sabah News Flash

Mobile Clinic Mission to be Launched

The Assunta Integrated Social Services (ASSISS) Sabah will be launching its mobile clinic mission on July 23 at a chosen village in Penampang.  This was announced during the blessing of its office located at the basement of the Sacred Heart Parish Center at Kota Kinabalu Saturday.

ASSISS is part of the Assunta Foundation, a hospital established in 1954 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM).  Only two months old, ASSISS Sabah was formed to assist the needy and is mostly dependent on support and donations of the public for the continuity of its services.

The initial visit of the mobile clinic will be on July 23 at Kg Timpangoh Penampang and every third Sunday thereafter.  They will cater to poor patients of any race or religion who has a combined family monthly income of not more than RM1,500.  Services to be offered by the group will be free medical consultation, treatment and monitoring and advocacy and awareness on health matters.  Emotional, psychological and spiritual care and services will also be provided to patients, relatives and hospital staff.

Financial Preparations for the Future

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman has called on the people to plan and prepare for their future, especially on the financial aspect of their lives.  He was referring to debt management and retirement fund sufficiency by the year 2030.  By then, Malaysia will be an ageing nation, expecting the number of retirees and elderly people to exceed the working population.

According to Musa, this will have an impact on the economic growth and wellbeing of the nation.  The life expectancy of Malaysians are now averaging at 75 years and more savings are needed for a period of 20 years or more after retiring at the age of 55.  It is important that awareness on these concerns be instilled on the people years ahead of their planned retirement so that they can prepare accordingly.  Financial preparation is important especially for the younger generations who are significant contributors to the economic growth of the nation.

Musa issued this call in a speech delivered by Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang during the Retirement Talks with Employees Provident Fund (EPF) at the Suria Sabah Shopping Mall Saturday.  The event was a joint collaboration of the EPF and the Credit Counseling and Debt Management (AKPK).  Discussions touched on EPF Retirement Advisory Services, EPF Withdrawals and Online Service Channels and AKPK Debt Management.

Overhaul of Ranau Drainage System Ongoing

The overhaul of the Ranau drainage system is currently undertaken to prevent flooding at the town.  Located at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, the town experienced flash floods last July 9 and 11 due to an unusually high volume of rainfall.

Ranau district officer Faimin Kamin said that a masterplan for the improvement of the drainage system will be developed by the Public Works Department, Drainage and Irrigation Department and district council engineers.  An initial assessment was conducted wherein it was found out that some drains were small and clogged up.  Also, the drainage systems in new commercial areas were not well connected with those in older zones.