Tiong said all poor students from both primary and secondary schools can apply for financial assistance from the fund based on their academic performances.

"However, I would like to advisxe well-to-do parents not to submit their applications even if the children obtained excellent examination results, " he said, adding that more opportunities should be given to children from poor families.

Tiong who is also SPDP treasurer general said he hoped the donation would also move FBRCA affiliated members to contribute generously to increase the amount of the education fund.

Tiong said this at the 10th anniversary celebrations of Bintulu Vui Neng Association cum installation of new office bearers for Malaysia Federation of Vui Neng Association held at the Civic Centre here last Saturday evening.

Touching on a separate issue, Tiong called on car owners not to put up adverstisements in local newspapers offering monetary rewards whenever their vehicles were stolen as this would indirectly encourage the stealing of such vehicles due the lucrative offer.

He reminded the victims to instead cooperate with the police to nab those reponsible.

On the rise of armed and gang robbery cases along the Coastal Highway especially in Batu Niah area, Tiong hoped the police would beef up its surveillance and enforcement to nab the culprits the soonest.

"Operators of the oil palm plantations also along the road are partl to blame as there were reports some of you recruited illegal immigrants to work in our estates to cut cost," said Tiong.

He said police had encountered difficulties to locate the whereabouts of the robbers as those illegal immigrants were not registered with the Immigration Department.

Tiong said the errant operators should realised they were placing the security of the State at stake if they continued to circumvent the legal procedures by employing illegal immigrants.

Tiong who is the SPDP Liasion Chief for Central Region was happy with the security situation in Sibu which has improved since the new police chief took over.

"The efficiency of the police force depends very much on the leadership qualities and administrative skill of the officer-in-charge" he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Bintulu Vui Neng Association Kong Shau Fui in response to Tiong's call donated 10,000 on behalf of the association to the education fund.

Kong also thanked the over 400 invited guests from Penisular Malaysia, Sabah, Singapore, Hong Kong including Mayor Ou Chiong Seng from Guangning Province of China for attending the function.

Among those present were Senator Hii Tiiong Kuoh, President of FBRCA Pau Chiong Ung, Dato Seri Yek Ming Ek, past President of Malaysia Federation of Vui Neng Association Ng Kow Chai and local community leaders.