By Ling Hui & Karen Bong
BINTULU, Nov 1: The government has allocated RM10 million for Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) to furnish the new Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) Bintulu campus with necessary equipment and tools.
Federal Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang emphasised that MRSM Bintulu will be pivotal not only in the physical development of Bintulu Division but also in enhancing human capital, particularly in education for the Bintulu community.
“MRSM Bintulu, which has a capacity of 450 students, will also make it easier for students in the surrounding areas, notably Bintulu, Miri and Limbang Divisions, to access the MRSM education system, which has been recognised as one of the best education systems in the country.
“There is nothing that makes the Ministry and me personally happier than seeing the success of MRSM Bintulu and I’m confident that it will mark a new era in rural education that will bring benefits to the residents here,” she said at the handing over and launching of the MRSM Bintulu at its campus here today.
The sprawling RM122 million campus spanning an impressive 22,000 square metres—a joint effort by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) in collaboration with the Sarawak government and Yayasan Sarawak—stands as the fourth MRSM in Sarawak and the 56th in Malaysia. MARA will oversee its administration and education services delivery.
Rubiah, who is also the Kota Samarahan MP, highlighted Bintulu’s significance as a natural gas liquid production centre which is managed in part by PETRONAS.
She believes the geographical location and the commercialisation of natural resources will serve as pillars to attract students to explore fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
“Hopefully, this MRSM will be another beacon of excellence that contributes to the national education sector’s overall advancement,” she added.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the launch of the new MRSM Bintulu campus which is set to commence operation in March 2024.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Stephen Rundi Utom and PETRONAS chairman Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh were among those present. — DayakDaily
