KUCHING, Oct 31: Petronas, through its Sahabat Maritim programme, has conducted a series of outreach initiatives in Sarawak, Sabah, and Terengganu, benefiting more than 3,500 villagers between August and September.
According to Bernama, each initiative was tailored to the respective community’s needs, such as safety awareness, educational activities, and essential supplies contribution.
In Sarawak, Petronas collaborated with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Fisheries Development Authority Malaysia, and the Department of Marine Fisheries Sarawak to improve the safety and quality of life of the fishing community at Kampung Piasau Utara in Miri.
The villagers now have a newly renovated community hall furnished with new furniture and a portable broadcasting system.
New signages near the shoreline were also put up to cultivate the culture of safe maritime practices for the long term.
Similarly, Petronas also put up safety signages for the people of Kampung Kuala Nyalau in Bintulu.
The village’s ageing community facility was also refurbished during the three-day programme together with community programme partners, MMEA Bintulu and Press Metal Bintulu.
Representatives from the organisations and the villagers also participated in various activities such as beach cleaning, a colouring contest for children, and cultural activities.
The programme ended with the annual Makan Tahun programme, a much-awaited thanksgiving occasion, with participation from about 2,000 people from Kampung Kuala Nyalau and two surrounding villages.
In Sabah, Petronas, in collaboration with its partner, SEA Hibiscus Sdn Bhd (SEAH), handed over life jackets and bags of food ration to 200 fishermen at Pulau Mantanani.
This effort complemented Sahabat Maritim’s initiative in Pulau Gaya earlier this year, where Petronas donated over 20 fish aggregating devices worth over RM5,000 and food rations worth over RM6,500.
Meanwhile, 70 primary school students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Mantanani had their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) aroused via a half-day programme with Petrosains.
They were also given the opportunity to personally try on the prototype creation and digitalisation exercises. Petrosains also introduced to the students the importance of reducing carbon footprint and awareness of safe fishing.
In Terengganu, Petronas, together with MMEA, held an open dialogue with the local maritime community at Pulau Duyong.
The session, known as ‘Sembang Teh Tarik’, provided a conducive avenue for the marine community to highlight their concerns and challenges in sustaining their fishing livelihood and for Petronas to understand better and subsequently address the community’s plight.
Petronas also distributed food essentials to the beneficiaries to help ease their burden.
Petronas is currently looking at an additional contribution of fishing equipment to spur the island’s economy further and assessing the feasibility of installing artificial reefs from sunk boats in the area.
Petronas had already installed three such reefs in Pulau Kapas earlier this year in collaboration with MMEA to provide fish breeding grounds and alternative fishing areas for the fishing communities.
Through the Sahabat Maritim initiatives, Petronas is committed to ensuring the highest safety and health standards in safeguarding the local communities, their families, and the environment. — DayakDaily
