SMK Sacred Heart pays tribute to Vincent Lau for his contributions
SIBU: SMK Sacred Heart has specially acknowledged the contribution of Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming to his alma mater, which principal David Teo said has brought much benefit to the students.
“With Lau Swee Nguong and Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming in the school’s board of management, our students really benefit a lot,” Teo added.
He recalled: “One of the examples started in 2012 when KTS-BLD Foundation took in 30 students under a scholarship package which included apprenticeship in the main office in Kuching and an academic pursuit leading to a diploma and degree in plantation management.
“The objective was to train them to be highly knowledgeable and skilled managers in the oil palm plantation.”
Teo was giving a welcoming address at the school’s Appreciation and Thank You Ceremony 2018 held at the school on Wednesday.
He also mentioned Dr Hii Sui Cheng as another exemplary former student who had made contributions to the school.
During the ceremony, appreciation was accorded to Vincent, who is chairman of the school redevelopment committee and board of management treasurer, and Hii, who is the management board secretary.
Among those present were Kapitan Datuk Janet Lau, school board member Robert Lau Hui Yew, parent-teacher association vice- chairman I James Tiang and vice- chairman II Ngu Liong Beng.
Teo mentioned that Sacred Heart Secondary School students were very fortunate because the old students and the community had established a very strong bond with the school.
He said Hii is the school’s athletic team patron and has played important role in the athletic development of the school.
Meanwhile, newly elected Sacred Heart Old Students Association ( Shosa) president Yong King Sung described Vincent and Hii as very inspirational persons.
He recalled when the late Datuk Robert Lau implemented the massive redevelopment plan for the school, the two distinguished leaders were entrusted with the heavy task of getting together a Redevelopment Committee.
Yong added that the idea had grown bigger as it now encompassed all the Catholic mission schools in Sibu.
“With the grand support from so many corporate organisations such as the KTS Group represented by the late Dato Sri Lau Hui Kang, the Hua Seng Group represented by Lau Swee Nguong, and so many other corporate leaders from near and far, we all cheered and laboured away.
“Everything was going along smoothly. Then tragedy struck us. When Datuk Robert passed away on April 9, 2010, Sacred Heart lost one of its most courageous sons. Those of us who were in the committee were worried.
“What would happen now? Where do we go from here? Who will lead us? People say, in crisis, heroes appear and I believe in this statement. Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming and Dr Hii Sui Cheng remain true to our school motto – Prayer and Labour – and carry on the noble duty of transforming our beloved alma mater,” he said.
Yong said as chance would have it, the then Education Minister visited Sibu for the by- election following Datuk Robert’s untimely passing.
Yong confidently said the move would have made his former boss, mentor and leader Datuk Robert Lau proud – Vincent and Hii presented their case to the Education Minister to help realise what was a vision of Datuk Robert that became a mission for all of Sacred Heart School boys.
“And if it wasn’t for the courage of both Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming and Dr Hii Sui Cheng, today we may not be able to be sitting in this very building ( Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew complex).
“The school has collected a series of old and new photos of both gentlemen during our various school activities and turned them into an album,” he added.