By Karen Bong and Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, July 2: Create a scout mobile application to replace Job Week’s Blue Book so that people can engage the scout’s help with just a click, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg tells the Scout Movement in Sarawak.
The Sarawak Scout Movement, he said, should also adjust its operations by embracing digital technologies to keep up with the new economy that Sarawak has transitioned into, intending to reach economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability.
“I talked to Tan Sri Mawan earlier and told him I have not heard of Job Week for a long time. In the past, we had Job Week, where we went to people’s houses and helped with things like cleaning drains or cutting grass.
“Then we will be paid a minimal fee of RM1 to RM2. But we will keep going to reach the maximum as it is one of the challenges in scouting. I’ve done this, so I know…. with a ‘Blue Card’ (to put down job done).
“While in the past we used Blue Card, today perhaps that can be replaced with a mobile app so that people or community who need the scouts’ help can engage with them through the app,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak’s 1st Rover Moot ceremony at Kuching Waterfront here today.
Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, who is Sarawak Scout Council president and Pakan assemblyman, and National acting Chief Scout Major General Prof Dato Dr Mohd Zin Bidin were present.
In this new and rapidly changing economy, Abang Johari emphasised that the scouting movement must also keep pace with modern technology and explore new ways of doing things.
He said the Sarawak government, under his leadership, will always support scouts in Bumi Kenyalang and help the youth, be it scouts, girl guides or any youth movement.
“That’s why I set aside RM12 million for upgrading the camp in Matang. When Tan Sri Mawan and the scout captain met me at the Matang Camp, they raised the issue that there is land but no facilities for training. So I told them that if they were willing to work, I would help.
“Therefore, I hope the camp will be equipped with all these digital devices to connect with your friends in Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and even the United States. This is the borderless world,” he added.
Abang Johari has also agreed to support the Sarawak Scout Movement in sending as many Sarawak representatives to participate in the 25th World Scout Jamboree or World Scout Conference in South Korea in 2023.
This was in response to the request from Mohd Zin, who hopes to send a Sarawak scout delegation to the 2023 conference, which would cost about RM8,000 per person as this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.
“This is so they can have exposure and gain more valuable knowledge. I will find the funding to help you realise this.
“Most importantly, the scouting spirit must continue to be nurtured among our young generation and community as a whole,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
