Abang Johari (front, fourth right) holds up a piece of ‘lemang’ together with (front, from right) Fatimah, Ruziah, Juma’ani, Awang Tengah, Fadillah, Wan Junaidi, and Dr Hazland. – Photo by Agnes Tugong
KUCHING: Bumiputera students in the state have shown a serious lack of knowledge and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, said Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He called on Bumiputera parents to motivate their children to excel in STEM subjects, pointing out they are vital to compete in the global arena.
“Like it or not, you must push your children to do better in the STEM subjects, especially Science. I was told that SM Sains Matang used to have 1,000 students.
“Now, SM Sains Matang has only 400 students. Many students could not book a place in SM Sains Matang because they are not qualified for it,” he said during the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Kuching Zone Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri on Thursday.
Abang Johari said the state government is aware that some schools in rural areas lacked a science laboratory, explaining that was why he set up the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research, which would focus on the development of education and science.
“We will have policies to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas. Education is key if we want to leapfrog from traditional commerce to a digital economy,” he said.
The Chief Minister said Yayasan Sarawak is expected to source for more funds to support Sarawakians wishing to pursue tertiary education.
He explained that timber companies in the state had been instructed to pay higher premiums to help Yayasan Sarawak offer financial support to outstanding and eligible students.
“That is why we have increased from 80 sen to RM50 per tonne of (timber) premium. And our revenue from this premium alone can be increased from RM9 million to RM300 million.
“We can use this money to give scholarships and loans to Sarawakian students to pursue higher studies,” he added.
He urged PBB leaders and members to remain united as he believed the largest state Barisan Nasional (BN) component party would serve as a catalyst to transform Sarawak into a developed state by 2030.
Earlier, Abang Johari said PBB felt the tremendous loss of the passing of former Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman this year.
“Our number one leader Datuk Patinggi Adenan Satem had continued on good policies laid out by (former Chief Minister and now Head of State Tun) Pehin Sri (Abdul Taib Mahmud). Tok Nan (Adenan) implemented people-centric policies which benefit the people of Sarawak.
“No more tolls, reduced electricity tariffs, and a lot more other policies that bring good to the people. In the last state election, Sarawakians rallied behind Tok Nan and the state BN won 72 out of 82 seats contested. Our party PBB made a clean sweep, winning all seats contested. This reflects the unity and undivided support we have from the people,” he said.
He also recalled that Daud was a leader in Satok before being elected Tupong assemblyman.
“Datuk Daud was a youth leader in Satok in the beginning. After the new seat of Tupong was created, he contested and won the seat. He had contributed tremendously to our society, and especially Tupong.
“For those who are still around, we must continue to serve the community. I am glad that our friends in BN have faith and confidence in me to succeed Tok Nan to be the sixth Chief Minister of Sarawak,” added Abang Johari.
Among those present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Amar Datuk Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang; Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah; Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and his wife Datin Amar Ruziah Mohd Tahir; Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar; and Demak Laut assemblyman Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.