‘Make Charis Youth Anti-drug Performance a yearly affair’
SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong has proposed that the inaugural Charis Youth Anti- drug Performance be made a yearly affair.
Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, Wong said the programme to be held at Kingwood Hotel on April 11 could help prevent youths from indulging in drugs that could ruin their future.
“I think this is a very important event that can be carried out on a yearly basis. I think this drug problem is not getting enough coverage perhaps, (it is because) people don’t want to talk about it.
“Maybe they feel it is too common and hence, nothing to write about or some may feel it is not cool to talk about drugs. But it is not true as drugs (abuse) destroy a lot of things especially the young people’s minds and lives,” he stressed.
The three-part programme, from 7 to 9.30pm, is jointly organised by UCTS; United Chinese Association ( UCA) Sibu; Association of Churches (ACS) Sarawak, Sibu branch, SMC and Charis Youth Centre (CYC).
Meanwhile, UCA Sibu president Ting Huat Chie supported Wong’s call for the event to be held yearly.
Ting said this was because more awareness was needed to get youths away from drugs, which he noted had become a serious problem in society.
Pastor Ting Leh Na from ACS Sarawak, Sibu branch echoed Wong’s view, saying: “It is important to create heightened awareness among the younger generation on the dangers of drugs.”
She described it as a very meaningful event and believed making it a yearly affair would have positive impact on Sibu and the state.
On Wong’s call for the event to be made yearly, UCTS deputy vice- chancellor (academic) Professor Dato Dr Sabarudin Mohd described it as a good suggestion.
“We will bring it to the management and seriously look into such possibility.
“I think this is something we will do as part of our corporate social responsibility,” said Sabarudin.
Besides this event, CYC together with UCTS and UCA would be visiting Bintulu, Miri, Kuching and Sibu from April 5 to 18, he added.
“There will be performances in six schools and public places in these cities and towns.”
Sabarudin hoped that activities such as performances, public engagement, and visits to schools could create better awareness among youths and parents on the danger of drugs.
He was confident that through collective efforts, youths would be kept away from unhealthy activities.
Other activities as part of their CSR, he said, together with SMC they would roll out the Zero Dengue campaign on March 28, during which UCTS students would help to clear places they had identified to keep dengue fever at bay.
There would also be the launching of sponsorship of RM2.8 million for Foundation students on that night.
Dr Wong Sing Sing, who is UCTS dean of School of Foundation Studies, explained that the sponsorship is open to 400 students this year.
“They are eligible to apply for the sponsorship so long as they have 2As and 2Bs in their SPM result,” Sing Sing said.
I think this is a very important event and if possible, be carried out on a yearly basis. I think this drug problem is not getting enough coverage perhaps, (it is because) people don’t want to talk about it.
Dato Andrew Wong, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman