BUNGIN: The federal government should appreciate the commitment shown by the state government on the issue of repairing dilapidated schools in the state so that they can be hastened, rather than get distracted by some politicking.
Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam (pic) said the federal government has to speed up the process of repairing dilapidated schools in the state after the state government had channeled a sum of RM350 million as ‘mentioned’ by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng earlier.
Although the concept of Sarawak’s financial viability was aimed at paying off the debt, the key aspiration needed to be understood.
“The act of the state government offering its own funds to the federal government to repair dilapidated schools has never happened before. Besides, such responsibility is under the purview of the federal government.
“This shows the high commitment of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg towards the issue of Sarawak’s dilapidated schools which should be taken seriously by the federal government through the Finance Ministry (MoF) and the Education Ministry (MoE),” said Mohammad Razi.
He said this when attending the wedding ceremony of the child of former secretary of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Saribas Branch late Awang Dzulkarnain Pg Ali in Kampung Bungin.
He further stated that
education or issues involving dilapidated schools should not be politicised.
“Sarawak has never politicised education like most of ‘their’ politicians.
“Sarawak even offered to help, so what else are you waiting for? Hurry up (with the work)!
“Therefore, I ask the ministry (MoE) to prioritise the schools in dilapidated condition
especially in the rural areas including Saribas,” he said.
Razi added that while the state government offered the same allocation as debt relief, he also hoped that the federal government would not reduce the development allocation for Sarawak since it was their responsibility as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
He said the people would
continue to look into the federal government’s budget for Sarawak which is the biggest contributor to Malaysia’s revenue from oil and gas sources.
