Head of State hails party for wisely choosing education as first project upon coming into being
Taib presents a certifi cate of appreciation to Dato Henry Lau of KTS Holdings, who is among the 13 fi rst-batch corporate donors to the UPP Education Fund. The presentation is witnessed
by (from left) Ranum, Soon Koh, Nansian and Rayong. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The United People’s Party (UPP), with all its leaders and combined experience, can signi f icant ly contribute to the development of Sarawak as the state evolves towards industrialisation.
Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, i n launching UPP’s multi – million education trust fund here yesterday, was contented that the party was able to garner support from Chinese intellectuals and business fraternity in its venture towards playing a key role in preparing the state’s participation in new industries in line with global trends.
“The party marked its first year’s progress by embarking on an educational project, having able to collect more than RM30 million. It is on this background that I feel UPP has chosen its fi rst project very well.
“I thank them, especially the big businesses and corporations, for their role in supporting the growth of education through their own party; one that they have chosen, which in this case is UPP,” said Taib.
The launch of the party’s multi-million education fund – witnessed by UPP president cum Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, UPP deputy president Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, its senior vice-president Ranum Mina, its Youth chief Dr Johnical Rayong and Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian – was held in conjunction with the party’s first anniversary.
So far, UPP has managed to raise more than RM30 million through 13 corporate donors, including KTS Group chief executive offi cer and managing director Dato Henry Lau. The ultimate aim is to collect RM50 million.
“This goes to show that the focus of the Chinese is very much attached to education. Any serious educational development in the state, in particular the participation among the Chinese, has never been in doubt,” Taib added.
The Head of State pointed out that the history of the Chinese in nurturing education, especially through Chinese schools, had been widely acknowledged.
Taib a l so b el ieved that considering the state had done well towards developing a strong business fraternity in the past, there should be no reason for it being unable to expand the manpower for its industries, especially those with technical know-how.
“I look to Wong Soon Koh – the person who had the experience to advise me when I was chief minister – to develop education institutions so that it would have that game-changing effect towards benefi tting not only the Chinese, but also all races. This can be seen in Sibu, with the emergence of various higher educational and technical institutes.
“I hope many others would join him to do the same thing.
I’m very much interested to see how Sarawak could continue developing its education, putting greater efforts toward technical education. I pray that all of us would be able to drive the state towards education development, which would adjust to the new situation,” he said.
Soon Koh, on the other hand, said the fund would be slated for educational purposes towards assisting Sarawakians of all races in their pursuit of knowledge, from primary school level up to tertiary education.
“The fund is for the benefit of the needy across all levels; those who are academically qualified but would otherwise lack the fi nancial means to pursue higher education. We will also award scholarships to excellent achievers and those with exceptional talents as incentives towards achieving greater advancements,” he said.
Soon Koh, who is also Local Government and Community Development Minister, added that the outright grant would also be open to those seeking to advance themselves either through parttime courses or long-distance learning.
“We in UPP bel ieve that education is the key to a better life. We believe that through education, we can become more skilled, more productive and more resourceful.”
According to Soon Koh, application forms are now ready for those seeking fi nancial assistance to pursue their studies, with the fi rst batch of UPP Education Fund possibly be awarded with the aid as early as October.
The other donors of the fund include Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King and Datuk Tiong Thai King of Rimbunan Hijau; Tan Sri Ling Chiong Ho of Shin Yang; Dato Hii King Chiong of Kingwood Hotel; Dato Paul Yu of Hock Seng Lee Bhd; Chris Chung of Titanium Group; Dato Lee Choon Chin of Weida (M) Bhd; Pemanca Datuk Wong Kie Yik; Datuk Toh Chiew Hock of Hock Peng Holdings; Datuk Ling Suk Kiong of Dayang Enterprise; Dato Ha Tiung Noon of Hass Enterprise; Tan Sri Datuk Jimmy Lau Hieng Wui of Jim Logs; and Datuk Hasmi Hasnan of Naim Holdings Bhd.