04/02/2025

TUESDAY | FEB 4, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Upgrade for St Paul’s Church o Two-storey building costing RM1.75m to be added to main structure at cost of RM1.6m

Thaipusam trip for PWD devotees GEORGE TOWN: The Thaipusam celebration this year holds a special meaning for 25 physically challenged devotees as they visited the Arulmigu Balathandayuthabani Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga, Penang on Sunday. The initiative was made possible by NGO Malaysia Tamilan Uthavum Karangkal (MTUK), which is dedicated to helping people with disabilities (PWD) fulfil their spiritual needs. MTUK founder Dr A. Muraly said 125 volunteers from Kuala Lumpur and Penang took turns to carry the wheelchair-bound devotees up the 513 steps of the temple. He said since its inception in 1999, this is the first time MTUK have taken physically challenged devotees to the temple, having previously helped them ascend the 272 steps of the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Selangor. “What my team and I are doing is to bring joy to the physically challenged because they too wish to go up to the temple but are unable to do so,” he said. “God has blessed us with a good life, so this is one way we can give back, by doing good deeds for those in need.” Muraly said 10 of the devotees were from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan while the rest were from Penang, adding that the climb started at 4.30pm and when they reached the top, they prayed and made offerings before descending at 5.30pm. M. Eswari, 50, said it has been 10 years since she last visited the temple after she was paralysed waist-down following a road crash. “I used to visit the temple every Thaipusam but for the past 10 years, I haven’t been able to do so. I feel deeply moved because I went up again today. I prayed that I would be able to walk again for the sake of my children,” said the single mother. Former soldier A. Arumugam, 70, from Ayer Itam, said this was the first time he wanted to visit the temple after his right leg was amputated due to diabetes two years ago. “I wear a prosthetic, so my movements are limited. But today, I was able to go up the temple with help from the volunteers,”he said. M. Kogulan, 19, a first-time volunteer, expressed joy at being part of the event, saying it was rewarding to help those in need, especially the elderly. – Bernama

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: The annexe building of the 139-year-old St Paul’s Church on Macalister Road is being expanded after the acquisition of an adjacent two-storey shophouse. “St Paul’s Church holds a rich history as the first Anglican Chinese church in Peninsular Malaysia, established in 1886. The building was consecrated in 1951, and a five-storey annexe was added in 2001,” said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the groundbreaking ceremony on Jan 26. The project is expected to be completed within a year. Church building committee chairman Daniel A.B. Soon said the cost of purchasing the shophouse was RM1.75 million, with an additional estimated RM1.6 million for construction. He said the built-up space after the project would be approximately 12,700sq ft. “There is still a need to raise funds for the interior fit-out and AV equipment, which is expected to cost an additional RM1 million.” Soon, who is also a member of the Parochial Church Council, said the parish hopes to model a senior citizen activity centre after those founded in Singapore, with a focus on “active ageing”. He outlined the benefits the centre will bring to the community. These include providing a communal space for the elderly to socialise and find support, while offering mental and physical activities. Soon said some of the programmes for the centre include age-appropriate fitness classes, digital mastery for seniors, lifelong learning, skills development through hobbies, regular health checks and spiritual enrichment through Bible studies. The centre is slated for operations from Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 5pm, and participation would be voluntary, allowing seniors to choose which programmes they

Chow (centre) with church officials and dignitaries during the groundbreaking ceremony. – T.C. KHOR /THESUN

initiatives have been successful, leading to the establishment of other churches in Ayer Itam, Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Teluk Kumbar. The church also operates a free hostel for Orang Asli students in Gopeng, Perak. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Bishop of the Diocese of West Malaysia Right the Reverend Dr Steven Abarrow, Suffragan Bishop of Northern Peninsula Area Diocese Right the Reverend Dr Stephen C.C. Soe, Archdeacon of Upper North Archdeaconry the Venerable Soong Hoe Pin and Rev Ong. Prior to becoming its own parish 75 years ago in 1950, St Paul’s Church was part of the St George’s Church Chinese-speaking congregation.

wish to engage in. In addition to the senior citizen activity centre, the church also plans to run other community-focused programmes, including marriage and pre-marriage counselling courses and a youth-centric cafe. “The cafe will be a safe space for youth to hang out, play board games, do self-studies and attend seminars or talks, including those addressing mental health issues,” Soon said. Meanwhile, St Paul’s Church Vicar the Reverend Philip J.E. Ong expressed hope that the Penang government would partner with the church in providing financial and other resources to support the outreach programmes. St Paul’s mission outreach and community