By Ashley Sim
Mukah, Sept 5: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) has allocated RM1.18 million for the construction of eight Taman Bimbingan Kanak-kanak (Tabika) Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (Kemas) throughout the Matu district as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
There are six wooden-structured Tabika Kemas, located in Kampung Loba Balu, Kampung Sekaan Besar, Rumah Panjang Gangga, Bruan, Rumah Panjang Jarit, Teluk Delo (an inland area accessible only by river), and Kampung Jemoreng.
Meanwhile, there are two concrete-structured Tabika Kemas in Kampung Igan and Kampung Pergau.
According to Petronas programme execution manager Nor Azam Abang Zawawie, they were approached by Dato Dr Juanda Jaya, the Jemoreng assemblyman and Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman), to help with the development of Tabika Kemas in the Matu area.
“We’ve been trying to get funds, and Alhamdulillah (thank God), we were able to get an allocation of RM1.18 million to implement eight Tabika Kemas in this area.
“And thank God, after the discussion process in 2018, the construction project of the eight Tabika Kemas was successfully implemented in only six months (June to December 2019),” he said today during a media visit to a Petronas-sponsored Tabika Kemas in Matu district here.
He went on to say that, aside from the weather, one of the challenges was obtaining building supplies because the Matu area is remote and the nearest city is Sibu.
“Officers from the Kemas Daro district, the Matu district office, and the Matu-Daro district Public Works Department (JKR) have also collaborated with us to ensure the project’s smooth implementation,” Nor Azam added.
He also explained that the Tabika Kemas construction project was also completed by local contractors, providing them with business opportunities.
Furthermore, Matu district office development section assistant administrative officer Noorkasmawati Kassim noted that the construction of the Tabika Kemas can encourage children in the Matu area to go through the early learning process more comfortably before entering the world of primary school.
The newly constructed classrooms have begun to be used for the 2020 school year, providing a more conducive, safe, and comfortable learning environment for teachers and students in particular. — DayakDaily
