KUCHING: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) plans to upgrade the MARA Skills Institute (IKM) Bintulu as a regional-level hub for energy education.

MARA Chairman, Datuk Dr. Asyraf Wajdi Dato’ Dusuki said IKM Bintulu will focus on both new and fossil-based energy fields, including oil and gas.

He said the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen IKM’s role in producing skilled talent to meet the needs of the current and future energy industry.

“We are working towards elevating IKM Bintulu as a regional education centre for the energy sector, including oil and gas, as well as new energy sources such as hydrogen,” he said.

He told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly Complex, on Tuesday.

According to Datuk Dr. Asyraf, the master plan to transform IKM Bintulu into an energy hub is currently being finalised, with approximately 60 per cent completed.

“Insyallah, we plan to launch it before the end of this year. Once the master plan is fully completed, we will allow a three-month period for refinement,” he said.

He stressed that MARA’s goal is not only to produce skilled local graduates but also to develop industry players capable of competing on the international stage.

Also present were Sarawak Secretary, Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr. Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; and other distinguished guests. -UKASnews