Kota Belud students Join ‘Let's Be Safe' campaign

Borneo Post

27-05-2025

Students listening attentively to a safe riding instructor speaking on key safety checks to ensure motorcycles are in proper condition and fit for use.
KOTA BELUD (May 27): A total of 500 students from nine secondary schools in Sabah's northern Kota Belud district came together on Tuesday for a meaningful and engaging safety awareness programme called the 'Let's Be Safe' Safety Campaign.
Driven by oil and gas company Hibiscus Petroleum, the programme was organised in collaboration with the Sabah Education Department (JPNS), through its Kota Belud District Education Office, and working with the police and Fire and Rescue Department.
Held at SMK Usukan, the half-day event was aimed at instilling a culture of safety among Form Three students — a crucial age group as they become more independent in their daily lives.
The schools that took part were SMK Usukan, SMKA Tun Said, SMK Taun Gusi, SMK Taun Gusi II, SMK Arshad, SMK Narinang, SMK Tambulion, SMK Pekan and SMK Pekan II.
The programme featured interactive demonstrations and informative talks designed to help students understand personal safety, accident prevention and risk awareness both online and offline.
The highlights of the campaign included live demonstrations by firemen where students learned what actions to take in the event a fire takes place or to prevent them, as well as a demonstration on safe motorcycle riding.
Besides that, the students also listened attentively to a talk by the police which covered social media safety, including on topics that touched on cyberbullying, physical bullying and online scams.
There were also talks on fire safety and natural disaster preparedness, particularly floods, by the Fire and Rescue Department while a safe riding awareness session helped to promote responsible behaviour among young motorcyclists.
The campaign carried the central message that safety is a lifelong habit and that being aware of risks in different environments — at school, at home, and in public — is key to staying safe.
Students were encouraged to identify potential threats and take proactive steps to protect themselves and others.
Sabah Education Director Datuk Haji Raisin bin Saidin, who was the guest of honour, highlighted the importance of the initiative in nurturing a safety-first mindset among young people wherever they may be.
Raisin hoped that the students can cultivate awareness, skills and a mindset that prioritises
safety at all times, enabling them to focus on their studies and, ultimately, on becoming well-rounded individuals.
'The three main focuses of this year's programme namely social media safety awareness, including awareness on cyberbullying and physical bullying; awareness on safe motorcycle riding; and awareness on fire prevention and natural disaster (flood), are in line with the aspirations of the Education Ministry, which consistently ensures the well-being and safety of students.
'Our highest appreciation and thanks go to Hibiscus Petroleum, the Kota Belud District Education Office, and all parties involved in making this awareness campaign a success.
'The collaboration between government departments and agencies with the private sector is a good example of how various sectors can work together to shape a safer and more knowledgeable generation,' he added.
His speech was delivered by JPNS Student Development Sector Assistant Director Charles Lawrence @ Muhammad Ariffin.
Hibiscus Petroleum's Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Acting Head, Sabah, Mohammad Hatta Mansor said the campaign was an example of the company's efforts aimed at raising safety awareness among young people.
This, he said, was through the sharing of messages and guidance centred around safety — a vital component and priority of Hibiscus Petroleum's day-to-day operations.
'This campaign is designed as a platform for disseminating safety messages, focusing on issues and threats related to personal safety at home, at school, in public spaces and online,' he said in his closing speech.
'The goal is to help secondary school students, as they are the target group that needs early guidance and exposure to personal safety — as the Malay proverb says, 'melentur buluh, biarlah dari rebungnya (to bend a bamboo, start when it is still a shoot)',' he added.
Hatta urged all the students, who were now 'safety ambassadors' after taking part in the safety campaign, to continue applying the safety tips they learned in the programme besides spreading safety awareness to their friends and family members.
Also present at the event were Kota Belud District Education Officer Dr Japran Hj Kusin and Hibiscus Petroleum's Community & Government Relations Senior Executive Durie Rainer Fong.