WELCOME WITH MUSIC: SMK St Columba’s brass band plays for Chin upon his arrival at their school. Behind him are Ting and Tiong.
MIRI: All schools in Miri Division ought to work hand-in-glove to ensure the success of the environment awareness programme.
They could take part in any Environmental Cluster School Award competition, suggested Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.
“Let’s together protect our environment and support the awareness programme to make it possible and meet the organisers’ goal.”
Chin was officiating of the launch of the Environmental Friend Programme and Parliamentary Level Environmental Cluster Flagship Award Programme at SMK St Columba here yesterday.
The event was attended by students, teachers, parents and members of the Parent-Teacher Association.
The National Service trainees were also present to better understand the awareness programme.
Chin appealed to all present to be the ears and eyes of the relevant authorities and report any individual or party guilty of committing environmental pollution.
Discharge of effluent from factories, waste from animal farms, uncontrolled open burnings and smoke emission from vehicles are among the offences that should be reported.
The people can inform government agencies such as Environment Department, Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Sarawak Rivers’ Board (SRB) and Forest Department.
“These agencies have been entrusted to take action against the culprits, so do not hesitate or feel doubtful to approach any of them,” Chin said.
The minister was accompanied by his political secretary, Datuk Sebastian Ting and they were met on arrival at the school by principal Robinette Tiong Ai Giek and teachers and welcomed with a performance by the school brass band.
Miri Resident Antonio Kahti Galis was also present.
Four schools In Miri were selected for the ‘Cluster School’ concept under the RAS programme: SMK St Columba, SMK Lopeng Tengah, SK Tudan and SK Lutong.
The concept was mooted and implemented this year by the Environment Department under the Environmental Friend Programme, with the cooperation of MPs in the respective area.
Each school received a RM5,000 grant to finance the Cluster School flagship.