MIRI: Sarawakians should be given priority for employment in the oil and gas sector because they also can deliver, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
Speaking at the office launching of Transfame Sdn Bhd in Lutong Commercial Centre here, yesterday Lee added that Sarawak can create an effective global work force especially in the oil and gas industry.
“The industry (oil and gas) has contributed a lot for the state development, for example in Miri, the industry has been in existence for over 100 years,” he said.
Lee also pointed out that with such familiarisation, locals should be given priority in terms of employment in the industry.
“I believe when they (locals) are given the opportunity, they can continuously learn and further develop their skills in the field.
“I hope some of us here with your expertise you also can be international consultants (in the oil and gas industry),” he said.
Lee applauded Transfame Sdn Bhd’s efforts for providing job opportunities to 2,000 people who are mostly locals (Sarawakians).
“The state government’s policy is to always give locals priority,” he said.
On another matter, Lee also suggested that the gas and oil industry in the state especially in Miri to help the government to promote the tourism sector by organising international conferences or exhibitions.
“By having international conferences or exhibitions, they will help to propel Miri city’s tourism sector. A lot of things are connected to tourism and one of them that we can look into is by organising international conferences or exhibitions here.
“Conferences can help to bring in people to Miri and Sarawak in general. Hence, I urged oil and gas companies here to come together and organise such event. Shell here can perhaps take the lead to organise international conference on the oil and gas industry,” Lee said.
Transfame Sdn Bhd Miri is involved in the upstream segment of the local oil and gas industry ranging from engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contracts for hook-up commissioning (HUC) to the renewable energy segment.
It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAP Resources Sdn Bhd (BAP).
“In line with the state’s aspiration, Transfame will use this new working environment to add value to Sarawak’s economy and our “employ-locals” emphasis shall continue as we aim to become the company of choice for integrated services in all aspects of the oil and gas industry locally and globally,” said Transfame chief executive officer, Tay Choon Hock.
Also present at the launch were Miri mayor Adam Yii and BAP Resources Sdn Bhd group managing director, Kenneth Patrick Wang.
