KUCHING: Sarawak Energy is allocating RM600,000 as educational incentives for the resettled communities of Bakun, Murum and Batang Ai through Bakun Charitable Trust.
This is on top of the RM200,000 that it gives to each of the communities of Batang Ai and Murum on an annual basis.
Yesterday, the energy provider signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bakun Charitable Trust (BCT) to provide an additional RM200,000 to a revolving fund under the care of BCT to help meet specific education needs of the re-settlers.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg officiated at the signing ceremony.
Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sarbini Suhaili and Executive President for Corporate Services Aisah Eden signed on behalf of Sarawak Energy while Bakun Charitable Trust was represented by its chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing (who is also Deputy Chief Minister) and Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon.
Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamid Sepawi in his welcoming speech said the fund would be used to provide education incentives to encourage academic excellence among primary and secondary students from Bakun. It also gives financial aid for those attending higher learning institutions.
He added that the fund will also be used for other education development programmes as well as to improve learning facilities for the benefit of the Kayans, Kenyahs, Kajangs and Penans in the 15 villages within the Bakun Resettlement Scheme.
Hamid said the state-owned energy developer had a strong sense of responsibility towards the people of Sarawak, especially those affected by its projects.
“We want to build and leave a positive and lasting legacy by partnering with communities affected by our projects for sustainable collaborations in these areas of education and young people; culture and heritage; community development and entrepreneurship as well as environmental management and conservation,” he said.
He added that Sarawak Energy recognised the importance of education in helping any community to prosper. At the signing ceremony Sarawak Energy presented cheques for RM200,000 each for Batang Ai Education Fund and Belaga Penan Education Fund.
