Breakthrough in talks opens opportunities — Len Talif

0

 

(From seventh right) Len Talif, Ramli and others posing for a photo-call.

(From seventh right) Len Talif, Ramli and others posing for a photo-call.

SIBU: Assistant Minister for Workforce Development and Training Datu Len Talif Salleh lauded the breakthrough in discussions between Sarawak, Putrajaya and Petronas.

He said it will provide Sarawakians the opportunity and avenue to be directly involved in training and employment in Petronas.

Hence, on their part, Len Talif, who is also Assistant Minister for Environment, said they would act on the opportunity.

He told reporters this when asked on steps to be taken by the state government following Sarawak agreeing on seven points in the meeting with Putrajaya and Petronas, among them training and education for Sarawakians.

The meeting, which took place at the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday, was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Petronas chief executive officer Datuk Wan Zulkifli Wan Ariffin and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Adenan had told a news conference at the VIP holding room of Hornbill Skyways in Kuching, which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, that Petronas also agreed that the 192 posts which were now vacant would be advertised in local papers and to be filled by Sarawakians.

Adenan was further quoted to have said that Petronas would provide up to 50 places for Sarawakians to do undergraduate studies at University Technology Petronas.

In addition to that, Petronas would intensify technical training for Sarawakians and enrol more Sarawakians in their training centres throughout the country, Adenan reportedly said.

On this, Len Talif, who is Kuala Rajang assemblyman, said: “This is among the positive development, where what had been discussed by the Chief Minister with the Prime Minister had been agreed to ensure that Sarawkians will be given opportunity and room for them to be directly involved in training and employment in Petronas.

“From our side, we will translate this opportunity to ensure it will be implemented; acted on so as to ensure whatever has been agreed will be implemented accordingly.”

Earlier, he officiated at the Training and Industrial Awareness Programme (Tria) for central zone, hosted by University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here yesterday.

This three-day programme organised by the Workforce Development Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department with Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputra Sarawak (Tegas) and Sarawak Education Department ends today.

In his speech, Len Talif said the Tria programme for the central zone was the second in the series after the one conducted for the northern zone.

He was made to understand that the Tria programme for northern zone which was jointly organised with Curtin University attracted 100 students who were keen in engineering.

Adding on, he said for the programme in central zone, the organiser had chosen courses offered by the School of Built Environment, in particular architecture given the good demand for this course.

He urged the 100 students chosen for the programme to make good use of the opportunity.

The participants were chosen from 11 education district offices; namely Sibu, Selangau, Kanowit, Sarikei, Julau, Meradong, Kapit, Song, Mukah, Dalat and Daro.

Among those present were Workforce Development Unit director Dr Abdul Rahman Deen, director of UCTS Centre for Continuing Education and Professional Development Assoc Prof Dr Ramli Rashidi, representing UCTS vice-chancellor Prof Dato Dr Abdul Hakim Juri, and Sibu district education officer Wong Chong Kung who represented the state education director.