Pupils and teachers from SK Tegulang and SK Metalun gather for a group photo with representatives of SEB and Bakun Charitable Trust, as well as local community leaders.
Jiwari (third right) witnesses the presentation of education incentives to the school children, performed by Beatrice (third left), as Michael (second left) and others look on.
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) continues its partnership with the Murum Penans in community development programmes and events four years after the commissioning of Murum hydroelectric power plant (HEP), and six years after their resettlement.
The areas of community partnerships include programmes and projects in education, social and sports activities, as well as traditional celebrations – all meant to ensure that the Penan community continues to benefit from the project, to reinforce the community spirit in them and to strengthen their cultural heritage.
Last month, SEB rendered support to the Murum Penans during the annual ‘Batu Tungun Bungan’ ceremony that took place at the lookout point overlooking the HEP.
The sacred ritual was performed by community elder Saran Joo, who was joined by Murum Penan Development Community chairman Labang Paneh as well as community leaders from Murum and Belaga including Pemanca Umek Jeno.
Political secretaries to the chief minister Michael Mujah and Beatrice Kedoh Tajang, together with Belaga state administrative officer Zain Rocky attended the session.
Teachers from SK Tegulang and SK Metalun – the primary schools built specifically for the resettled Penans in Murum – were also present.
Representing SEB were general manager for corporate social responsibility and sustainability Jiwari Abdullah and Murum station manager Encharang Ngtingih.
In his remarks, Jiwari said SEB would continue to work closely with the Murum Penans on programmes aimed at enhancing their socio-economic wellbeing.
“We will continue to support and implement community development initiatives to encourage growth especially in education, youth development and income-generating activities,” he said.
At the same event, SEB also presented education incentives to 340 pupils from SK Tegulang and SK Metalun in recognition of their academic excellence.
The incentives are derived from the annual revolving fund of RM200,000 under the ‘Bakun Charitable Trust’.
The funds are utilised for academic incentives for primary and secondary school-children as well as aid for students pursuing their studies at approved skills development centres or institutions of higher learning in Malaysia. The funds are also available for any other educational development programme or provision of teaching and learning facilities as deemed necessary and as agreed by the committee.
Prior to the Batu Tungun ceremony, a football competition was held where Penan youths from various longhouses in Murum took part in. Its objective was to scout potential talents for the Sarawak football team next year. Sarawak football team manager Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad was at the game to identify ‘potential new blood’ for his line-up.
Murum Penan youths have been actively participating in football tournaments and development training since last year through the ‘Bintulu Rural Football Development Programme’ – a collaboration between SEB and Bintulu Football Association (BiFA) and LEA Sports Centre, aimed at developing interest in football as well as to discover new talents.
Following the introduction of the programme, Murum Football Club had placed second and third at Bintulu Division Rural Football Championship 2017 and 2018, respectively.
They received the ‘Best Rural Team’ award at this year’s tournament, while their player Ritchie Siang was named ‘Best Player’ in last year’s outing.