MEMBAKUT: Petronas is urged to consider building a Science and Technology Center here to benefit the local community, especially students.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, said a suitable site would be provided close to a Membakut library.
“I have expressed my request to Petronas so that children can patronise the facility.
“Most importantly, through the centre, we can cultivate more interest in science and mathematics among students and they can explore further,” he said.
Dr Mohd Arifin who is also Membakut assemblyman said this after officiating the Petronas Perdana Iftar ceremony at Membakut Islamic Arts hall here, recently.
He presented Ramadan contributions to 103 underprivileged people here. Also present were Petronas Sabah and Labuan General Manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab, and senior officials.
Dr Mohd Arifin said he was made to understand that Petronas will build a science center in the Sandakan and Tawau libraries involving a cost of RM3 million to attract the interest of students to study science.
“We welcome this noble effort by Petronas and hope that it would be expanded to other areas, including Membakut, where we will identify suitable sites that can be built next to the Membakut library,” he said.
According to him, the State Government also provides similar facility at the Keningau library and the Kota Kinabalu library near Wisma Pertanian.
Dr Mohd Arifin said the Science Gallery at the Keningau library is almost complete while the same facility at the Kota Kinabalu library is fully operational.
“The Science Gallery at the Keningau library is 90 per cent ready while the same gallery at the Kota Kinabalu library is large and spacious,” he said.
