KUCHING: The Sarawak government is still discussing the RM1 billion allocation withdrawal – the money was meant to repair schools in Sarawak.
“We are ready to meet with the Education Minister and discuss this matter. It’s pitiful to see the poor schools that needed to be relocated due to their condition because of flood and other safety precautions,” said Education, Science and Technological Research minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong.
“I was so disappointed with the decision made by the federal government (the RM1 billion allocation withdrawal),” he told reporters after attending Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak’s 19th graduation ceremony here yesterday.
Manyin said the allocation was approved by the previous government – RM500 million in 2018 and the balance in 2019.
“Unfortunately, this has not been honoured by the new federal government.”
Education Minister Maszlee Malik had said in February that the federal government had agreed that a RM1-billion loan repayment from the Sarawak government would be used to fix rundown schools.
Manyin said the federal government later insisted that the money should be an “advance payment” on loans owed by Sarawak.
“It was agreed by the Education minister but later, they made a U-turn.”
