Plantation group reaches out to needy Penan community in Long Luar
MIRI: Sarawak Oil Palms Bhd (SOP) continues to reach out to those in need under its ‘ Special Relief’ programme.
According to group spokesperson, this initiative reflects its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment to communities living in areas where its operations are sited at.
“Our ‘ Special Relief’ programme is specially designated to help the communities in the vicinity of SOP’s operations, who are affected by the Covid19 pandemic,” said SOP in a statement issued yesterday.
The latest recipients of this programme are 52 Penan families living in Long Luar, Murum.
A team from SOP’s Metanik Estate in Belaga prepared and delivered the food packages to the folk in Long Luar recently.
“The essential food items comprising rice, cooking oil, salt, sugar and instant coffee were transported to Long Luar from our Metanik Estate in Belaga.
“It took the SOP team approximately took two hours to reach there, using four-wheel drive vehicles,” it said.
It is learnt that the Penan folk in Long Luar sell jungle produce to earn incomes.
“The Movement Control Order ( MCO) period was a very difficult time for them. We sincerely hope that the donation of essential food items could help make life a little bit more bearable for them,” it added.
In receiving the donations from Metanik Estate manager Kanyan Jacob, Long Luar chieftain TR Joseph Madai Salo expressed his gratitude and appreciation to SOP.
“We appreciate this kind gesture, which should be able to help our families endure these difficult times,” he said.
Previously, SOP delivered food aid under the ‘ Special Relief’ programme to 152 Penan families in Long Peran, Uma Baya Sipat and Uma Mato Tugang.