Minister calls for enhanced maritime training in Kuala Baram

MIRI: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin has urged the Marine Department training centre in Kuala Baram to incorporate maritime skill requirements essential for those engaged in offshore oil and gas industry activities.

He made this request during his working visit to the training centre last Wednesday (July 24).

During the visit, Lee and his entourage received a comprehensive briefing on the training setup, types of training conducted, target groups, and the recently approved allocations from the federal Transport Ministry aimed at improving the centre’s facilities.

After that, Lee proceeded to the nearby Kuala Baram light house which has been built for more than 30 years.

While there, Lee was briefed by the officers from Buoys and Light on several improvement works completed as suggested by him during his visit in March 2022.

The discussion was also focused on having a new light house to complement the new Kuala Baram channel that is currently under construction.

He stressed that the proposed new light house will have to comply with the international standards and requirements in accordance with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities.

Lee added there is also a need to look into the requirements on aids to navigation along the 6km dredged channel which will be constructed.

He also met with the Ketua Kaum of the nearby village, urging residents to cooperate and work together for the project’s successful implementation.

The visit was attended by the Miri Port Authority general manager Serawa Budol, along with consultants and project contractors, who provided an update on the project’s progress and addressed issues related to its implementation.

Accompanying Lee on the visit were the Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Wong Hee Sieng and other officers.

Minister and the entourage at the work site of the channel dredging at Kuala Baram.