Awang Tengah (seated centre) with guests and recipients. Also seen (seated from fourth left) are Sudarsono, Sarudu, Julaihi and Aziz. — Photo by Jeffrey Mostapa

KUCHING: Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) and its subsidiaries jointly doled out RM266,000 to 59 charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday.

Chairman of its board of management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who is also minister of public utilities and minister of industrial development, handed out the contributions to various representatives during a simple ceremony held at Dewan Seminar STIDC, Wisma Sumber Alam in Petra Jaya here.

In addressing guests and recipients, Awang Tengah, who is Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment, said STIDC had focused on investment to procure a stable income to enable it to play a role in supporting the state government’s major development projects particularly those in Tanjung Manis.

“We are also responsible for preparing infrastructure and facilities at Tanjung Manis Halal Hub, the largest halal hub in Malaysia.

“The infrastructure and facilities needed are roads, water and electricity supplies as well as communication system to make the project a success.”

Towards this end, Awang Tengah said STIDC’s subsidiary Pusaka Capital had initiated a joint venture with KTS Group to launch the CPO Bulking Facilities Project involving an investment of RM69.5 million in Bandar Baru Tanjung Manis.

He added that the subsidiary was also actively involved in a government housing project worth RM95 million in Tanjung Manis.

He also lauded STIDC for carrying out its corporate social responsibility.

“This is for social harmony and the contributions will benefit people from all strata of society.”

Members of STIDC board of management Datuk Julaihi Narawi who is also Assistant Minister of Industrial Development (Investment and Promotion), permanent secretary to the Ministry of Resource Planning and Environment Datu Sudarsono Osman, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Dato Husain and general manager Datu Sarudu Hoklai were among those present.