SANDAKAN: The Eastern Sabah Security Command’s (Esscom) Socio-Economic Programme is viewed as capable of providing job and educational possibilities to local people.
Member of Parliament Vivian Wong also hoped Esscom would embark on a second PPR in Sandakan following the construction of the PPR Taman Harmoni.
PPR Taman Harmoni is a pilot project that began in 2014 and was developed by Esscom in collaboration with other organisations for the reorganisation of water villages from Kg Muhibbah, Kg Forest, Kg Cahaya Baru, and Kg Good View.
According to Vivian, Esscom’s recommendation for the construction of a second PPR in Sandakan is also in line with the effort to assist many people who do not own a home and live along the seaside.
SPONSORED CONTENT Shell’s Access to Energy helps power lives of isolated communities in Sabah Kota Kinabalu: In 2017, Sabah Shell Petroleum Co Ltd (SSPC) launched Access to Energy (A2E), a Shell Social Investment programme aimed at providing affordable and continuous supply of electricity from renewable sources for communities who live without connection to the electricity grid. Read more The Sandakan Municipal Council is now in charge of the PPR Taman Harmoni.
With 10 blocks, this PPR began to be filled in stages in 2016, and nine of them are now fully occupied, while the tenth is under maintenance.
Meanwhile, Esscom CEO Dr Jamaluddin Mohd Ali said its socio-economic programme is a continuation of the water village reorganisation programme in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) and is aimed at providing exposure to opportunities for income generation as well as increasing the community’s level of education and skills.
“Esscom will remain active in the community. This is part of our programme to help the local community’s socioeconomic economy,” he said.
He said that one of the most effective ways to increase socioeconomic well-being is through education and other related professions.
He applauded everyone who contributed to the programme’s success.
Meanwhile, Kolej Teknologi Yayasan Sabah (KTYS) Chief Executive Officer Samin Ongki said KTYS would partner with Esscom on a similar project in eight other locations.
Regarding KTYS, he said they provide courses in a variety of subjects as well as opportunities for students to progress.
Some of their students have gone on to study in Beijing, China, and even in Germany.
While one KTYS alumnus in Sandakan has gone on to become an entrepreneur, running two Restaurant Nasi Manuk in the area.
He hopes this achievement would serve as an encouragement to all SPM graduates and young people in the state.
Among partner agencies that took part in the programme included Social Security Organisation (Socso), KTYS, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), Yayasan Usaha Maju and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia.
Present were Dr Jamaluddin, Samin Ongki, Sandakan Socso Manager Mariam Hassan, Sandakan District Deputy Police Chief Supt Hamizi Halim and Syarikat Canggih Bayu Sdn Bhd Director Safuan Abas.
The two-day programme, which began on June 19, attracted 400 people between the ages of 18 and 45 from Taman Harmoni PPR and the local community.
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