KUCHING: Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn agrees that infrastructure projects involving dilapidated schools be placed under the jurisdiction of other departments or district offices.
“I agreed with the announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. But I don’t know what (project) is categorised as minor.
“I hope that when he (Anwar) mentioned about other departments and district offices it includes the state departments and district offices as well,” the Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development told New Sarawak Tribune.
He said the proposal is a good one because federal departments in Sarawak have few technicians, and as for district offices, it has a different administration system compared to those in the Peninsular Malaysia.
“We have many capable state departments. We have the Public Works Department (PWD) Sarawak, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Councils, Resident Offices, District Offices and the various state departments,” he said.
Roland said he also fully agreed that dilapidated schools issues should be addressed speedily.
“This is because education is the most important investment of any country. Anything lacking will leave us behind.
“It goes without saying when we study how countries develop and progress. But when addressing dilapidated school issues, one should not just look at the academic blocks,” he said.
He said the infrastructure of administrative block, science labs, treated water, electricity and Internet connection must also be looked into.
“Teachers and staff quarters are also important so that they can teach and live in a hospitable and conducive environment,” he added.
Earlier on June 12, during the June assembly for staff of the Prime Minister’s Department, Anwar said minor infrastructure projects such as repairs of dilapidated schools currently under the Public Works Department’s (JKR) supervision will be transferred to other departments or the district office.
“I have discussed with Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that projects on repairs to dilapidated schools, clinics and toilets should no longer burden PWD, which has a huge responsibility.
“Transfer these jobs to other departments or the district office,” he said.
