Astro’s CSR programme benefits rural pupils, says Masing

KAPIT: Astro, the nation’s satellite pay television and media provider, has been praised for its initiative towards the betterment of children’s education through its ‘Astro Kasih’ programme.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing expressed his thanks to the company for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme at SK Sungai Paku – a rural primary school located at Mujong in Bukit Mabong District.

“Thank you, Astro, for being so kind. I know Kapit – needless to mention, Baleh – is very far from Kuching; what more to say Kuala Lumpur? Still, Astro has come all the way to Baleh to carry out its CSR programme for the betterment of children education.

“Astro has done its best to help the rural children attain quality education through its Astro Kasih programme, aimed at motivating not only the pupils, but also the teachers and parents,” he told reporters after officiating at the launch of Astro Kasih for SK Sungai Paku at Meligai Hotel here on Friday.

Masing, also Baleh assemblyman, later handed over cash incentives to the teachers and five pupils – Rickyson Ansi, Nicholas Roy, Derven Leo Penguang, Elexcyis Effiel and Rolanda Seri – who recorded excellent achievements in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah ( UPSR) last year.

Back on Astro, the deputy chief minister said the elected people’s representatives – namely Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi who is Kapit MP, Hulu Rajang MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, as well as assemblymen Jefferson Jamit Unyat ( Bukit Goram) and Wilson Nyabong Ijang ( Pelagus) are equally concerned about children’s education.

“On this, I also thank the teachers. For Astro, there are hundreds of schools across the country but the company has chosen SK Sungai Paku,” said Masing.

Meanwhile, Astro CSR head Jolyn Gasper said that SK Sungai Paku was ‘adopted’ by the company in 2012.

“It is the only school in Sarawak adopted by Astro. In Sabah, Astro has adopted two schools under Astro Kasih programme.”

Political secretary to chief minister Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Bukit Mabong District Officer Douglas Pungga, Kapit Resident’s Office administrative officer Belayong Pok, Kapit Education officer Philip Keling, Kapit District Office chief clerk James Sandak and SK Sungai Paku headmaster Timbang Tuan were also present.