Beyond gas supply: PETRONAS pipeline builds roads, jobs and future talent in Sarawak

3 hours ago 5

ADVERTISE HERE

By Karen Bong

MIRI, April 14: Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) has not only delivered development that transformed rural communities through the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) project, which runs through Telang Usan and Baram, but has also gone a step further by empowering local youths with free technical and specialised skills training, enabling them to build better futures and gain access to opportunities in the global oil and gas industry.

Highlighting this, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau said the national oil company’s continued commitment to human capital development in Sarawak was just as impactful as its infrastructure contributions.

He noted the SSGP project, implemented more than a decade ago, had not only strengthened Malaysia’s energy infrastructure but also opened up access to roads, logistics, and economic activities for rural communities along its route.

“Roads were built, accessibility improved, and most importantly, it created economic opportunities and jobs for local people,” he said, adding that he had personally witnessed significant changes in villages such as Long Bedian over the years.

He made these remarks in a pre-recorded speech when officiating the closing ceremony of the Scaffolding Level 2 Training Programme jointly organised by PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, ADTEC and TMR Technologies Sdn Bhd in ADTEC auditorium hall yesterday (April 13).

However, Dennis acknowledged that while the project initially brought opportunities, not all local youths were able to benefit due to limited skills and exposure at the time.

“This programme is a meaningful continuation that closes the gap. It ensures our youths are no longer just observers of development, but active participants in the industrial sector,” he said.

Dennis praised PETRONAS and ADTEC for providing high-quality training and certification, noting that such programmes were highly valuable and would attract strong interest even from urban centres.

He also highlighted a reported 94 per cent success rate in the training programme, describing it as an excellent achievement that reflected the effectiveness of the initiative.

Reflecting on the broader impact of the SSGP project, he said rural communities in Baram and surrounding areas had once faced significant socio-economic challenges, but infrastructure development had helped improve livelihoods during its early years.

With that, Dennis stressed the importance of ensuring continuous skills development so that rural youths could remain competitive in the evolving job market.

“We do not want our young people to be left behind. With the right training, they can stand shoulder to shoulder with anyone in the industry,” he said.

He encouraged participants to continue upgrading their skills beyond Level 2 training, urging them to pursue higher levels of certification and professional growth.

“The world out there is challenging. Do not just stop here but continue improving, continue learning,” he said.

He also urged the trainees to become role models in their communities, bringing back not only certificates but also aspirations and motivation for others.

“Be a light in your villages. When you return home, you are not just bringing qualifications, but hope and proof that success is possible,” he said.

Dennis further said that under Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, human capital development remained a key priority, particularly in technical, professional, and entrepreneurial fields.

He expressed confidence that Sarawak youths, especially from rural areas such as Telang Usan, Baram and Lawas, had the potential to excel not only locally but also internationally in the oil and gas industry.

“You never know, one of the 10 participants here today could become a leader or even a future elected representative,” he added.

The programme, held from April 6 to 12, benefited 10 selected participants from the Scaffolding Level 1 course conducted in May 2024. The participants comprised youths from diverse backgrounds, including Iban, Lun Bawang and Penan communities, originating from Lawas, Ulu Limbang, Baram and Bintulu.

PETRONAS Carigali (Sarawak Asset) senior general manager Shalby B Reduan said that all participants have successfully secured employment in engineering service companies and the local oil and gas industry in Sarawak following their Level 1 training.

“We hope that this advancement to Level 2 will open up more job opportunities and enhance their employability. We also hope that the skills acquired will benefit their personal development, families, communities and Sarawak,” he said in his text-of-speech.

He added that support from industry partners is crucial to the success of such programme, and expressed hope that more would collaborate with PETRONAS developing Sarawak’s youth talent pool.

“I myself am a Sarawakian from Miri, and I am deeply proud to be part of programmes that continue to drive the upskilling of young people through PETRONAS initiatives,” he said.

In 2026, PETRONAS is expected to further expand this skills development initiative by offering more exposure through Scaffolding Level 1 and Level 2 training, as well as entrepreneurship courses, involving communities from Lawas to Bintulu.

“I hope this initiative will continue to help more youth improve their socio-economic standing and contribute to the development of Sarawak in the future,” he said. — DayakDaily

Read Entire Article