BINTULU, May 31: Sarawak Energy (SEB) presented academic incentives to 25 high-achievers from SMK Bakun and SMK Belaga to recognise their hard work and accomplishments in the recent Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).
SEB assistant general manager for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, Jiwari Abdullah presented the incentives to these top achievers at SMK Bakun here recently.
Also present were SMK Bakun principal Henry Usat Bit, SMK Belaga principal Usat Ibut, Belaga District Education Office representative Dennis Hang Bilang, Bakun HEP deputy station manager Encharang Ngtingih and SEB senior manager for social investment and community development Joanne Tan Cho Yian.
“The determination displayed by these students is commendable and we hope they will continue to inspire their schoolmates to also want to do better. This is also the result of the commitment and dedication of the teachers as well as support from parents and the community here in Belaga.
“Sarawak Energy understands the value of education as the pertinent building block to the success of a community, which is why ‘Education and Young People’ make up one of the pillars to our corporate social responsibility efforts.
“We have rolled out a number of programmes in support of this such as talks on tertiary education opportunities, academic workshops for students sitting for examinations and skill training programmes for youth, among others,” said Jiwari when presenting the incentives to the students.
Through direct engagement with the communities, SEB has developed a suite of programmes that address the respective community needs. Its CSR initiatives and social investments focus on project affected communities and this encompasses communities in the Belaga District where the Bakun and Murum Hydroelectric Plants are located. The state-owned power utility and energy developer has even adopted SMK Bakun.
Meanwhile, Henry said SMK Bakun would continue to work together with SEB on programmes and initiatives that will benefit the students.
“Our collaboration with Sarawak Energy is in line with the Education Ministry’s ‘Program Transformasi Sekolah’ (TS25) which is to work closely with agencies and NGOs towards the development and enhancement of schools and students,” he said.
SEB also organised an educational trip to Bintulu for primary school students in Belaga in December last year and similar educational trips to Kuching for the students of SMK Bakun.
Other activities include Fire Safety Awareness and Prevention Programmes for 15 longhouses in the Bakun Resettlement Area in Apau Koyan as well as contributing fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment to them last October. SEB came to the aid of fire victims at Uma Badeng, Apau Koyan in June last year.
SEB also supported Do Ledoh and Ladong Bio harvest festivals — significant cultural events for the Kayan and Kenyah community in Belaga — as well as sponsored a group of artisans from Belaga to participate in the Borneo International Beads Conference in October 2017. — DayakDaily
