SELANGAU: RM150,000 has been approved through the Sarawak Energy Education Fund to assist students from 54 longhouses along Bukut and Bawan Road pursuing higher education.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai, said the allocation was channelled through the Bukut & Bawan Education Fund as part of Sarawak Energy Berhad’s (SEB) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
He said the one off financial assistance was complemented by various education programmes at schools around Bukut and Bawan to strengthen human capital development and improve learning quality.
He urged Tuai Rumah and Penghulu, as community and ethnic leaders, to play their part by informing the relevant authorities and submitting reports on children who would be pursuing studies at higher learning institutions.
“We do not want any of our children to be unable to further their studies due to financial constraints.
“Education is a key factor in improving the economic well being and standard of living of families,” he said at the opening of the road and wooden bridge at Rumah Annie Samah in Lubok Bukut here on Thursday (Aug. 27).
Sikie, who is also Kakus assemblyman, said he and Selangau Member of Parliament, Edwin Banta, had consistently given attention to education to assist children in the Selangau and Kakus areas.
He said students from the Kakus constituency who obtained six A’s or more in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination would receive RM100 for each A, while those achieving straight A’s would receive RM1,000.
Meanwhile, Edwin said he also provided one off assistance to students from the Selangau parliamentary constituency pursuing higher education, amounting to RM800 for diploma studies and RM1,000 for degree studies.
In a related development, Sikie reminded Tuai Rumah and Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) members to remain vigilant in safeguarding longhouse residents, particularly against drug abuse.
“If there are any suspicious individuals or activities, report them to the police immediately. The drug menace can destroy the future of our children and lead to various other social problems,” he stressed.
At the event, Sikie presented five Minor Rural Project (MRP) cheques totalling RM59,000 and announced an additional RM50,000 MRP grant for the JKKK of Rumah Annie.
Edwin presented two MRP cheques totalling RM20,000, announced an additional RM10,000 grant for the JKKK of Rumah Annie, and approved an application to replace the roof of the longhouse.
