MUKAH: Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib has called on youths to get to grips with modern technology and the green economy to drive the region’s development.
She said the marine engineering course offered at Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) Laila Taib Campus could, for instance, support the Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) industry in Sarawak.
“There is still a shortage of marine engineering professionals and experts in Sarawak, and we need them for tasks like underwater pipeline connections.
“This career promises a lucrative salary, and God willing, by 2026, the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, will implement free higher education for eligible Sarawakian students,” she said.
She said this during the handing over of Minor Rural Project (MRP) and Community-Friendly Project (PMR) grants totaling RM540,000 at the Mukah Service Centre recently.
The MRP grant, worth RM400,000, was awarded to 31 Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK), associations, clubs, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to carry out activities for their members, while the PMR grant, totaling RM140,000 was given to four associations and surau for repair and infrastructure upgrading works.
Tellian Tengah Village head, Winnie Wena, said the MRP grant will be used to organise the Lantern Festival programme, conduct a gotong-royong (communal work) to repair dilapidated walkways, and provide funds to villagers who are ill.
“We will also use this grant to repair the infrastructure of stalls operated by villagers if there are any damages to their roofs, walls, or equipment,” she added.
Meanwhile, SMK St. Patrick principal, Silvester William, said the PMR grant would be used to upgrade the drainage system in the school’s toilet block and to purchase a new printing machine for daily school use.
