Miri Proposed As Site For Sarawak's First Sea Scout Camp
MIRI: A proposal to establish a Sea Scout Camp in Miri is seen as having the potential to strengthen youth development and marine scouting training in Sarawak.
Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin said Miri has its own distinct advantages and is highly suitable as the location for the academy, given its strategic position and existing facilities that support various Sea Scout activities.
"Perhaps the time has come for us to establish this academy. With a dedicated training centre, we can train more young people and students to get involved in the scouting movement, particularly Sea Scouts.
"The availability of sailing facilities in Miri also makes it an ideal location for practical training such as sailing and marine skills, which are among the important components of Sea Scout activities," he said.
He said this while officiating at the Sarawak Sea Scout Marine Education Camp 3.0, organised by the Scout Association of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch, in Miri on Friday.
In this regard, he proposed that the Sarawak Scout Council submit a formal proposal together with a development plan to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg for consideration.
He expressed his commitment to giving full support to the effort, noting that Sarawak currently does not yet have a dedicated academy for Sea Scouts.
Earlier, he was briefed by Deputy President of the Sarawak Scout Council Dato Mohamad Safri Datuk Abdillah on an application for a plot of land along the Miri coastline to be developed into a Sea Scout Camp, which, if approved, would be the first such camp in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, he said Sarawak, which has a coastline of more than 1,000 kilometres as well as an extensive river network, needs more young people equipped with knowledge and skills related to the maritime sector.
"I urge participants to become ambassadors of environmental sustainability by playing an active role in protecting rivers, seas and coastal ecosystems from the threats of pollution and unsustainable activities."
He added that marine education also opens up various career opportunities in the maritime sector, including shipping, logistics, marine engineering, port operations, and maritime science and technology.
He said the Sarawak Government will remain committed to supporting youth development programmes that focus on education, leadership and environmental sustainability as a long-term investment in the state's future.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak Sea Scout Marine Education Camp 3.0, held from June 25 to 28, brought together 173 participants from Sarawak, Sabah, Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, as well as Pontianak, Indonesia.
Also present were Sarawak State Chief Scout Commissioner John Lim Boon Beng, Deputy National Chief Scout Commissioner Ts. Mohd Hilmi Abu Bakar, and Assistant State Chief Scout Commissioner (Sea Scouts) Fauziah Pata. -UKASnews
