Ministry told to come up with solutions for low number of Dayaks taking up Tvet

KUCHING: PBDS Baru has urged the Human Resources Ministry headed by Serian MP Dato Sri Richard Riot as its minister to come up with solutions to resolve the low intake of Dayaks in vocational and skills training.

Its secretary general Anthony Nais said Riot should be more proactive, instead of just quoting statistics and venting his frustration over the perceived lack of interest in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) among the Dayaks.

Anthony said the statistics revealed by Riot that other races including Dayaks comprised only 12.6 per cent of Malaysians undertaking Tvet is a serious matter and deserves immediate action from the Human Resources Ministry.

“What was more worrying was Dato Sri Richard Riot himself. He should not just vent his frustration, but state the follow-up action to be taken by his ministry.

“He should go to the ground more often (to understand the situation), and direct his ministry to study this matter. Don’t just blame ourselves, but as Dayaks we should help each other,” said Anthony yesterday.

Riot was quoted in a local daily as stating he was frustrated with the low number of Dayaks taking up Tvet despite the fact it offered good salary prospects and was in line with the government’s target to have 35 per cent skilled workforce by 2030.

He pointed out that Riot should have realised that the perceived low interest in Tvet was due to several factors, including lack of awareness among parents of the importance of vocational and skills training.

He also believed the quota system also played a part in the low number of Dayaks taking up Tvet.

“Apart from that, facilities are severely lacking in Sarawak. Parents in the rural areas would have to bear high costs if they were to send their children to cities and towns like Kuching, Miri, Betong, Sibu and Bintulu for vocational and skills training. These include paying for transportation apart from study fees,” he said.

On another matter, Anthony was tight-lipped on whether he would contest the Serian parliamentary seat in the coming 14th General Election which means facing off with Riot, who has publicly stated his readiness to go for his seventh term as Serian MP.

“The candidacy will be decided by the party’s leadership,” he said.