KOTA KINABALU: For 20 students of SMK Pinangah, it was a joyful day when Kuamut assemblyman, Datuk Masiung Banah, attended the high tea reception to meet and give encouragement for their impending trip to Kuala Lumpur.
The event, at the Tabung Haji Hotel in Sembulan here yesterday, was held in conjunction with Petronas’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, All About Youth, which SMK Pinangah and SMK Bongkol of Pitas had emerged as state-level winners.
SMK Pinangah and Bongkol will represent Sabah in the competition organised by Petronas on November 19, this year and will be up against finalists from Sarawak and Terengganu.
The winner of the competition will receive a grand prize of a school refurbishment fund worth RM50,000 and RM1,000 for each student.
SMK Pinangah’s project, known as Pinangah Superhero Student, involves the setting up of a one-stop centre for printing, stationery and collection of recycle materials, which is much needed, as the nearest facility is located 96 kms away at the nearest town, Telupid.
The other school, SMK Bongkol, created a water filter for a clean water system to the school and the surrounding areas which they christened “One Filter Bongkol”.
At the grand finale, they will be judged based on originality and uniqueness of ideas and activities, impact of the project, creativity, sustainability and clarity of presentation.
“Through activities such as this, the students and teachers, who are part of this program will be advocates of Petronas,” Julita Ontol, general manager of Petronas Sabah and Labuan regional office, said at the event.
She said that in the future, they (the students) will be the workforce of Petronas, and added that through these types of activities, the students will be able to inform other people what Petronas is all about.
Julita also said that for other students who are interested in the oil and gas industry, Petronas would be there to guide and help them.
Meanwhile, Datuk Masiung Bantah, said that when news came to him about the SMK Pinangah’s win, he was first to rejoice in happiness.
“There are no words that can describe the happiness I felt when I was informed that the students from my kampung had won,” he said in his speech.
He said further that the students deserved to be here and their responsibility had just increased from merely bearing the good name of their school, but also representing their beloved state.
“But I believe, and I am confident that you all will return with RM50,000, and no one will deny that,” he said with a large measure of optimism.