KAPIT, Apr 26 — Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) officially launched its latest vessel this morning at a ceremony held at Fort Sylvia, Kapit. The event, officiated by Kapit Division Resident, Elvis Anak Didit, marks a major milestone in SEB’s ongoing commitment to uplift communities within the Directly Affected Community (DAC) zone of the Baleh Dam development.
The launch was the culmination of an eight-day boat-building training programme initiated by Dr. Nadianatra Musa, Chief Academic Officer of Industry and Environmental, Social and Governance (IESG) Academy, Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), and led by Prof. Dr. Mat Uzir Wahit. The hands-on training was supported by Dr. Mohd Ayub Sulong, Razak from GIATMARA, and Imran Misbah, with supervision provided by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shukur Abu Hassan, Advisor for Composites at CENTEXS. Throughout the programme, Dr. Shukur ensured that the fabrication quality met the highest standards. Approximately 20 participants from the DAC areas around the Baleh Dam were carefully selected by the SEB Steering Committee to undergo the fiberglass boat-making course. Participants were guided through the process of fabricating a 14-foot boat, from moulding to finishing, empowering them with valuable new technical skills.
The course was fully funded by SEB, underlining its commitment to support and uplift communities impacted by major infrastructure developments. In addition to the boat-making course, SEB also organized a craft artisan skills workshop targeting experienced local craftspeople. Nine selected participants were trained to refine their traditional craftsmanship through modern techniques. In this effort, SEB partnered with the Tun Jugah Foundation, a longstanding advocate for the preservation and advancement of indigenous arts in Sarawak. The artisan course provided participants with enhanced skills aimed at improving the quality and marketability of their handmade products, contributing to sustainable community development and the preservation of cultural heritage. A group of students from DAC zone also participated in a long-term program to increase the literacy. The initiative was given the responsibility to early learning department of i-CATS.
This initiative is part of CENTEXS’ Community Technology Outreach Programme (CTOP), and marks the third CTOP event organized by CENTEXS. The previous CTOP was successfully conducted in 2023 at Tanjung Manis, Sibu, focusing on equipping local fishing communities with fiberglass boat-building skills. In his speech, Elvis Anak Didit emphasized the importance of embracing development: “The Baleh Dam is here to stay; there is no reason for the locals to feel disturbed by this key development. Instead, they should feel happy and work together towards progress,” he said.
Following the success of this programme, SEB has identified Mujong, Kapit, for the next phase of their outreach, where a locally designed, streamlined boat will be fabricated by community trainees. Through these efforts, SEB continues to demonstrate its dedication not only to energy infrastructure but also to empowering local communities, building technical capacity, and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak.
