MUKAH: The Sarawak Islamic Council has been tasked to set up a school in Mukah which would not only focus on religious subject but also Science, Mathematics and English.

Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud announced this in his speech during a thanksgiving gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of the elevation of Mukah as a Division, at Setia Raja Mosque here last night.

He elaborated that the Laila Taib Foundation would initiate the establishment of the school with RM250,000 contribution.

This move is to ensure that Mukah would not be left behind in the endeavour to uplift the socioeconomic status of Mukahans, he explained.

In this regard, the Chief Minister advised all strata of society, from the top leadership to the grassroots leaders to constantly interact with each other so that the novel plan is understood by all and that all cooperation must be rendered to ensure its success would benefit everyone.

Mukahans must realise that all development plans must benefit themselves so that they would not be overtaken by others, Taib advised.

However, he added, this did not mean that they should close their minds because the magnitude of development planned for Mukah could not be attained by Mukahans alone.

“As such you all must be prepared to accept outsiders, including foreigners, because the nature of workforce of the future requires much technical know-how which outsiders possess and must be acquired by the locals,” he added.

He pointed out that the near future needs of Sarawak workforce would be in the region of 50,000 graduates with degrees, 50,000 diploma holders, and some 250,000 with technical knowhow.

“Mukah and Tanjung Manis need more highly qualified workers in agriculture, science, chemical engineering and biotechnology to meet the needs of the RM32 billion investment in the Samalaju corridor,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister and entourage visited the Press Metal Berhad’s Aluminium Smelting Plant near Balingian, situated some 30 kilometres from here.

This modern and environmentally- friendly aluminium smelting plant, which started operation in 2009, has the capacity to produce 100,000 tonnes per annum.

On hand to brief the Chief Minister was Press Metal Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dato’ Paul Koon Poh Keong.

After the briefing, the Chief Minister and entourage were taken on a guided tour of the plant where they were briefed by Press Metal’s Director Koon Poh Min.

(Source: New Sarawak Tribune Online, 2 March 2012)