RCKKP Strengthens Community Ties with Courtesy Visit to Sabah Finance Minister

15 August 2025

KOTA KINABALU: The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKKP), led by its newly elected President Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau, paid a courtesy visit today to the Sabah Minister of Finance, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, at his office in Menara Kinabalu.

The visit served as an official introduction of the club’s 2025–2026 Board of Directors and provided an opportunity to brief the Minister on RCKKP’s ongoing and upcoming community initiatives, aligned with Rotary International’s core motto, “Service Above Self.”

During the meeting, Masidi graciously accepted an invitation to attend the club’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and 11th Installation Ceremony as Guest of Honour, which is set to take place on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at the Hilton Hotel, Kota Kinabalu. The event will also serve as a fundraising platform in support of the Seri Mengasih Centre, as well as for various initiatives aimed at uplifting B40 communities and rural students.

Club President Datin Dr Jeanette Tambakau expressed her appreciation for the engaging dialogue and warm reception:

“We are truly honoured by Datuk Seri Panglima’s acceptance and his genuine interest in our work. This visit allowed us to showcase our flagship initiatives that have had a meaningful impact in Sabah and to outline our future plans focused on education, health, sanitation, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability.”

Among the key initiatives presented were:

Projek REAL (Rural-Focused English for All) – Enhancing English language proficiency in rural schools, in collaboration with the Sabah State Education Department.

Projek Water and Sanitation – Delivering clean water and constructing sanitation facilities in remote villages to promote hygiene and public health.

Hope in Sight – Providing cataract surgeries for underserved individuals in partnership with eight Rotary Clubs in Kota Kinabalu and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

PearlEmpowered – Equipping women and girls with entrepreneurial skills to foster economic self-reliance.

Project Kelip-Kelip & Mangrove Rehabilitation – A combined environmental programme focused on conserving firefly habitats, restoring mangrove ecosystems, promoting coastal resilience, and supporting eco-tourism livelihoods in local communities.

These projects reflect Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus, which include: Basic Education and Literacy, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Healthcare Access, Community Economic Development, Environmental Sustainability, Maternal and Child Health, and Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution—identified as priority areas for impactful and sustainable community service.

Looking ahead, RCKKP aims to broaden its outreach in rural education, strengthen health screening programmes for vulnerable groups, and introduce new environmental conservation efforts, in line with Rotary International’s global development goals.

Commending the club’s ongoing service to society, Masidi said,

“The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl’s commitment to uplifting B40 and rural communities is highly commendable. I look forward to joining the anniversary celebration and continuing this meaningful partnership for the betterment of Sabah.”

Since its founding, RCKKP has remained committed to addressing critical community needs across