The Sarawak government had, since 2008, spent RM1.2 million to ferry Penan students in the Marudi, Belaga and Limbang districts, Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu said yesterday.

"The facility has benefited 5,084 primary and secondary students from 61 villages," he said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting.

On issues related to Penan women, Jabu said the state and federal governments were working closely to implement the pertinent recommendations in a report by the national-level action committee investigating sexual harassment of Penan women in Sarawak.

On poverty eradication among the Penan community in the state, Jabu, who is also state rural development minister, said the government would introduce the High Yielding Rubber Smallholders Mini Estate, starting next month.

He said the agriculture department would implement, monitor and train participants to the poverty eradication programme which would provide sustainable income.

- Bernama