SIBU: The MLNG Bestari Outreach Programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Jalan Oya is part of Malaysia LNG Sdn Bhd’s (MLNG) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at improving the quality of education in rural areas.
According to the Senior Vice President of LNG Assets, Gas Business and Maritime, Abang Yusuf Abang Puteh, the programme commenced in August 2024 and was completed in October 2024 at a total cost of nearly RM800,000.
Through this initiative, MLNG has upgraded the school’s facilities, including improvements to its science laboratory, administrative building, four classroom blocks, a boys’ dormitory block, and two girls’ dormitory blocks.
“Electronic teaching aids were also provided to help create a more conducive and technology-driven learning environment, in line with the goals of the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s Digital Education Policy.
“This assistance was also extended to two nearby schools, SMK Agama Sibu and SMK Kampung Nangka, ensuring that more students benefit from this initiative,” he said.
He said this at the programme which was officiated by Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, and Community Development cum Nangka assemblyman, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee at SMK Jalan Oya here Saturday (Nov 23).
He added that they also organised a three-day programme at the school involving Pocket Talk sessions for Form 5 and Form 6 students, aimed at motivating them and guiding them in choosing fields of science they are passionate about.
“We also brought Petrosains from Kuala Lumpur to introduce STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in an interactive and enjoyable way.
“To all the students, imagine the vast world ahead of you. With STEM skills, you can create innovations that could one day change the world,” he said.
Abang Yusuf added that MLNG would continue this programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Paku Central, Betong, next week as part of its commitment to strengthening education in rural Sarawak.
“At the beginning of next year, we will also launch similar programmes at SMK Sebuyau, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Poi Yuk in Dalat, and SK Sungai Kut Tengah in Dalat,” he said.
He also said that MLNG, in collaboration with Yayasan Sarawak, had introduced the Borneo Bestari Programme, which aims to sponsor 80 secondary school students.
“These students will further their studies in fully residential schools in Peninsular Malaysia under the Yayasan Sarawak Student Exchange Programme and high-performing schools in Sarawak,” he said.
The programme, which runs from 2024 to 2029, involves 40 students being sent to Peninsular Malaysia under the exchange programme, while the remainder will enrol in high-performing schools in Sarawak.
“We hope that the selected students will become the future leaders driving the energy industry and bring positive changes to this state,” he said.
Also present were Malaysia LNG Group of Companies managing director and chief executive officer Mohamed Syazwan Abdullah @ Laga Jenggi and Principal of SMK Jalan Oya Dr Zulkarnain Farihin Abdullah.
