130th Year of BCCM

In 1882, the first batch of Hakka Chinese arrived at Kudat, as laborers recruited by the British North Borneo Chartered Company.  They have a unique history background and that was they were Basel Christians in China. And when they come, they bring with them their religion and organization.


The development of Basel Church in Malaysia is the story of pioneers from China in Sabah.


They strive to give their children a suitable education. In poverty and World Wars, these Christians in Sabah build and maintain their schools.




Since 1882, BCCM has grown from ten families to today 140 local congregations located all over Malaysia.


They grew from a small local congregation in Lau San Kudat in 1882 to a Church organization as far as Madagascar in Africa.

130th Anniversary Celebration

Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM)

22-7-2012 SUNDAY

Tawau Basel Hall

1976 Mt. Kinabalu Submit

7th April 1976

The mountain guide took the group photo for us.

7th April 1976 Mt. Kinabalu Submit. 11 of us in the group. Every make to the top by sunrise before 6am. Most of them were secondary school teachers. Some of the teachers were from SMK Mat Salleh of Ranau. 


Organizer of the trip is Mr. Parama of SMK Mat Salleh of Ranau. Our Mount Kinabalu climb took two days and one night to complete.

Slow and steady, we conquered the mountain and the cold wind. 


For me, more important is I conquered my own self doubt! With the new gained self confident, I came back again to the peak with timing of only 1 day 1 night together with 4 other group members after 2 years.

Sir Hugh Low was the first person that reached the summit in 1851. The highest peak, Low's Peak, was named after him. 


I like to come back to the peak again for the 3rd time.

Photo above : Stunning view from Pana Laban Hut at 11,000 feet.

Waterfalls and water stream on rockfaces at mountain top.

The plant is getting less as you move higher. The temperature will be near to freezing point on top but never snow.


When you climb, have something to keep your fingers and ears warm. Get a raincoat ready. You will need it badly if it rains.

This is my 1st climb. 2nd time would be 1 year later with Rony from West Malaysia. Without any guide but just joining with another group of 3 who prefer to be independent without enrolling the service of a guide. This group of 3 are 2 Japanese and a German lady teacher in SMK Mat Salleh.

We explored some simple jungle trails to get a feel for what was in store for us – we would discover that the trekking over the next two days were significantly more challenging.  Our accommodations were very comfortable at the Peak Lodge.  There was a perfect view of the mountain from our deck.  Again, the constantly changing character of the mountain was an inspiration for what lay ahead.  Rain came and went throughout the afternoon into evening, giving us pause to consider what our climbing conditions would be.  By early morning, the skies had cleared........  Mount Kinabalu Climb, March 16th and 17th, 2011 : http://peterwongphotography.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/mount-kinabalu-climb-march-16th-and-17th-2011/

1978 - My 2nd Climb Mount Kinabalu

April 1978, I made a second and last climb to the tip of Mount Kinabalu.

 Photo above : Plants on the high rocky slops. The high rocky slopes reveal to adventurers many unique species of plants. Many of the world's richest variety of orchids are found on the high rockier slopes.

On the rocky slope you will discover over 800 unique species of orchids. With its wide ranging climate range and differing soil and rock conditions, this helps to create a large variety of plants. Wildlife Around Mount Kinabalu: http://EzineArticles.com/7168666 An estimated 5,000 to 6,000 plant species call Mount Kinabalu, and its surrounding National Park, home. Many carnivorous plants and orchids grow on its slopes, which also attract 326 species of birds and over 100 mammals, including orangutans, Black shrews and the gloriously-named Bornean Ferret-Badger. Mount Kinabalu : http://www.viator.com/Kota-Kinabalu-attractions/Mount-Kinabalu/d4171-a2639 The descent should take between two and four hours, depending on your level of fatigue. Sore legs, knees and ankles tend to be the limiting factor on the way down, rather than aerobic fatigue. In fact, our group found itself in more collective pain halfway down the mountain than at any other stage in the trek. The second half of the descent, through the rainforest stairs after Layang-Layang, was the most taxing. Climbing Mt Kinabalu - Day 2 :  http://www.climbmtkinabalu.com/climb2.html

Photo above : On the way down, with other climbers (in the photos). The blue rope accompanies climbers to Low's Peak begins here. On some section you  need to pull yourself up the rockface, this can be an exhilarating experience.

On our way down the views over the clouds and the valleys below are breathtaking. 

The night when we climbed up was a clear night with clouds stretched as far as the eye could see, broken intermittently with views down to the forest below. 

My 1st climb to Mount Kinabalu was in 1976 : http://wongfookyee.blogspot.com/1976/06/1976-mt.html