BELAGA, Nov 6: Sarawak Energy recently presented Academic Excellence Incentives to 59 young high achievers from SMK Bakun and SMK Belaga in recognition of their excellent achievement in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) public examinations for 2021.
This year, of the 28 SPM students from SMK Bakun and six from SMK Belaga, seven achieved 6 to 7 A’s, while 27 students achieved 4 to 5 A’s.
For STPM, 25 students from SMK Belaga received the incentives — three with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) above 3.70, including one with a perfect CGPA of 4.0.
Other STPM recipients included three students with a CGPA of 3.33 to 3.70; two with a CGPA of 3.00 to 3.32; 13 with a CGPA of 2.67 to 2.99, and four with a CGPA of 2.5 to 2.66.
In a statement today, Sarawak Energy said it had run the programme in the Belaga district since 2017 to inspire students and encourage academic excellence. Covering incentives for both primary and secondary schools, the programme has benefited 256 students to date.
Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon presented the incentives to the students during the Academic Excellence Incentive Programme held at SMK Bakun on Oct 29 this year.
During the event, Chukpai acknowledged Sarawak Energy’s commitment to other community investment programmes in Belaga, including support for the Sungai Asap (Bakun Resettlement) Volunteer Firefighters Association, Longhouse Adoption Programme and other youth skills and entrepreneurship programmes, all of which are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Meanwhile, Jiwari emphasised that the company’s CSR initiatives under the pillar of Education & Young People included the Adopt-A-School programme for SMK Bakun and the Bakun Charitable Fund for Belaga students since 2019.
This includes the commitment to equip youths with transferable skills as one of its priorities where prior to the pandemic, 15 youths from Belaga were trained as wiremen at the Miri Industrial Training Institute (ILP Miri).
Prior to the ceremony, a briefing to the students to encourage more applications from students in rural areas for the assistance provided.
Also present were the political secretary to Premier of Sarawak, Michael Mujah Lihan; acting Belaga District education officer Periddie Achen; Balui Lake Natives Association (BLNA) deputy chairman Pemanca Umek Jeno; SMK Belaga principal Usat Isut and SMK Bakun assistant principal Boniface Ulok.
Sarawak Energy was represented by its general manager for corporate social responsibility (CSR), Jiwari Abdullah, as well as management and staff from Bakun HEP, CSR and Human Resources Department. — DayakDaily
