Kota Belud village to receive clean water supply
KOTA KINABALU: Some 250 people in Kampung Tinata Ulu, Kota Belud, about 80km from here, will get to enjoy clean water supply once the installation of gravity-fed water supply and rainwater harvesting systems, funded by Yayasan Petronas, is completed.
Apart from providing the water supply, the project, to be carried out over 18 months by Taylor’s University, also involves implementation of sustainable farming, in addition to the transfer of skills and knowledge to the residents so that they can maintain the system in the long run.
The project, to be implemented over 18 months by Taylor’s University in collaboration with a Sabah based non-governmental organisation, Hopes Malaysia, also involves implementation of sustainable farming, in addition to the transfer of skills and knowledge to the residents so that they can maintain the system in the long run.
To commemorate the project’s implementation, a symbolic handing over grant took place during the Petronas breaking of fast event here on Thursday between Petronas Sabah and Labuan Regional Office General Manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab and Taylor’s University Programme Director Associate Professor Ts Dr Tamilsalvi Mari.
It was witnessed by Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong and Petronas Senior Vice-President of Malaysia Petroleum Management Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong.
The initiative, which falls under Yayasan Petronas’ Memampankan Ekonomi Asas Rakyat (MEKAR) programme, aims to empower communities by meeting basic needs, providing skills and entrepreneurship development training to the villagers.
This will be Yayasan Petronas’ second provision of clean water supply project in Sabah following the implementation of its MEKAR programme in Pitas in the northern part of Sabah, providing clean water supply to 200 families in Kampung Boribi Kanibongan, Kampung Gunsali, Kampung Mapad Kanibongan, Kampung Ranggal, and Kampung Mangkapon Darat in 2022.
In 2017, Petronas also provided gravity-fed water supply solutions to Kampung Patiu, Kampung Katud and Kampung Pulutan in Kota Marudu.
Petronas Senior Vice President, Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM) Datuk Ir Bacho Pilong said in line with human capital development, Petronas is committed to and believes in the importance of balancing sustainability and energy security.
“During this iftar event, Petronas through Petronas Foundation will present the Sustainable Basic Economy Grant (MEKAR) to Taylor’s University to implement a project for constructing gravity-fed water catchment systems and rainwater harvesting systems in Kampung Tinata Ulu, Kota Belud,” he said.
The water supply system provided includes water catchment, water pipes, pump houses, storage tanks, water filters and water collection points.
The initiative is part of Petronas Foundation’s efforts in sustainable development with the goal of benefiting 250 residents in the village.
“Today’s MEKAR Grant presentation ceremony symbolises a sincere and friendly ‘agreement’. I believe Petronas and the Kota Belud community will continue to be in sync in their commitment to local community and environmental development today and in the future,” Bacho said.
In his welcoming speech, he also disclosed about the latest developments in the oil and gas sector in Sabah.
Through Petronas’ management of the Malaysia Bid Round 2023, two Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) in Sabah have been signed, namely Block SB403 and Bambazon Cluster located in northern Sabah, he said.
“For the 2024 edition, five more potential Production Sharing Contracts have been offered off the coast of Sabah, including one block, Block SB306 in the eastern coast of Sabah, which also includes my village in Pulau Sebatik.
“Clearly, Sabah’s potential in terms of oil and gas is immense, and I believe with continuous cooperation between the industry and the government, we can realise our dream of advancing the oil and gas industry for Sabah, and Malaysia as a whole, in line with Petronas’ 50th anniversary theme this year, ‘Towards a Shared Future’, he pointed out.
He also spoke about the close relationship sealed through the collaboration of Petronas and all parties, especially in the field of human capital development and local expertise.
Among them is the establishment of the MARA Science College (MRSM) Ranau, which recently received 200 Kohot 1 student admissions on March 11.
The MRSM Ranau campus, built at a cost of RM132 million, is the result of cooperation between the State Government, MARA and Petronas to enhance knowledge by improving access to quality education among students in the state of Sabah, he said.
“Furthermore, the recently concluded BeDigital Bootcamp on March 9 witnessed the offering of five conditional job opportunities and 17 practical training placements to local students, including those from public and private universities, provided by several industry partners such as Petronas, Quorum Software, Qhazanah Sabah Berhad, Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel and Wehaya Sdn. Bhd,” he added.
According to Bacho, the modules are designed to enhance employment opportunities for university students and encourage them to explore digital entrepreneurship. For the first time, modules on A.I. (artificial intelligence) and cybersecurity have been introduced for the latest Kohot in Sabah.
“In February, the grant award presentation ceremony and the signing ceremony of the Foundation Programme Agreement between Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) and University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) were conducted.
“This research grant award is part of Petronas’ continuous commitment to developing the nation’s human capital by providing a platform for eligible universities to realise their research potential through industry collaboration,” he said adding that seven research proposals from Universiti Malaysia Sabah have successfully secured funding amounting to RM5.75 million from Petronas for studies and research related to green technology.