BINTULU: A group of Wanita PBB Bintulu members visited Samalaju Lodge at Samalaju Industrial Park (SIP) yesterday to identify growth opportunities that they could tap.

They were led by Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah and Semariang assemblyman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.

State Education director Serina Sauni was also present.

Fatimah said she brought several members from Jepak, Kidurong and Kemena PBB sub-branches to visit Samalaju Lodge to create greater awareness among them about the opportunities available at SIP.

“We have identified the opportunities in Samalaju for our women who are involved in entrepreneurship, in the aspect of service provider,” she told reporters after attending a briefing by Samalaju Properties Sdn Bhd’s senior marketing manager Evelyn Jutem.

The second objective of the visit, she added, was to give PBB members new sights on how an ex-convict like AD Leong could change and become a successful entrepreneur.

Fatimah said the visit was based also on an invitation from Leong, who is managing a service provider company for Samalaju Lodge.

“His experiences in the prison and outside prison that he shared and the skills that he learned should be made as an example by the women who are involved in social activities.

“As a mother and grassroots leader, the women must play their role effectively to avoid wrong parenting methods.”

Evelyn said Samalaju Lodge comprised workers lodge, executive lodge-type 2 and executive-lodge type 1, with a total maximum occupancy of 8,616 beds.

The lodge, she said, was built on a fast-track basis, with full completion achieved within six months.

Samalaju Properties also constructed Tanjung Samalaju Resort Hotel, which opened to the public on Dec 20 last year.

The 150-room hotel straddles Tg Similajau with sweeping, panoramic view of the South China Sea and Similajau National Park and is being managed by Imperial Group.

“Samalaju Properties is currently discussing with industrial training providers to set up a training facility in Samalaju,” said Evelyn.

Meanwhile, she added it was crucial that the Kampung Nyalau community be engaged in the development of SIP, and they were recently approached by the Ministry of Rural Development to explore the Rimbunan Kasih programme in Samalaju Eco Park.

“They must be given priority in terms of business opportunities and employment,” she said.