MIRI: Efforts are continuing to give the Penan community a sound education with which the government is confident they will be able to improve their lot.
“We want to create a conducive environment to encourage Penan children to attend pre-school, prevent dropouts, in the hope of producing skillful Penan children in various fields including carbon trading and forest conservation,” said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Towards this end he expressed confidence that if Sarawak has Penan scientists one day they may be able to produce medicine that can cure diseases.
“But for us to produce this talented community (Penan) they must be exposed to good education and go up the ladder of education, that is why we emphasise on early childhood education,” he explained.
He said at the launching of Long Leng Layun’s Sedidik preschool in Tutoh Apoh, Baram, Tuesday.
Abang Johari announced that a sum of RM2.25 million has been approved by the state government to make improvements to the Sedidik preschool and also repair the 45-door longhouse which is occupied by 150 residents.
Five Sedidik Penan pre-schools were launched simultaneously, located at Ba’Selulong, Long Kawa Long Leng ,Long Kerangan and Long Jenalong.
Abang Johari said between 1998 and 2022, a total of 225 Penan had graduated.
“Two of them are PhD holders, three are Masters’ degree holders, 142 hold bachelor degrees and 81 are diploma holders,” he said.
In light of these developments Abang Johari said he was proud that more Penan have excelled in their studies.
“I have been involved, given the trust by our previous Chief Minister, now Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in 1980 to look after the Penan starting with Long Jegitan … we provided them a good education background to face life and for their future.
“I’m happy today we have Penan as District Officers and senior officers in the civil service and there are also Penan in the private sector.”
Also present were Minister of Women,Childhood and Community Well-being Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development Datuk Rosey Yunus, Deputy Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Development Mohamad Razi Sitam, Baram MP Datuk Anyie Ngau and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
