KAPIT, Sept 18: The state government disbursed funds totalling RM9.6 million to seven organisations, including RM4.6 million to three Chinese schools, here on Monday (Sept 17).
SJK Ming Tak’s board of management was the biggest beneficiary. It received RM4 million for its relocation to a new site here.
Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, in his speech, thanked SJK Ming Tak’s board of management for its willingness to relocate their operations from Sarikei. The move would cater to the growing demand, especially among non-Chinese, to send their children to Chinese schools, he added.
Meanwhile, the board of management of SJK Hock Lam received RM500,000 for their new school block, while SJK Hin Hua Song received RM100,000.
“The cheques came from the Chief Minister’s Office. The funds were announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during his walkabout in Kapit on April 25-26 this year,” Nanta said at the cheque presentation ceremony here.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing was present at the dinner gathering to present the mock cheques to the recipients.
Other recipients included Pasar Kapit Iban Methodist Church, which received RM3 million, Kapit Kwang Tung Association (RM500,000) and Kapit Foochow Association (RM500,000). Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Kapit branch, on the other hand, received RM1 million for infrastructure work on its new cemetery site.
Nanta, in explaining the difference in the amount given to SDNU and the two Chinese associations, said the state government had calculated its allocation based on the size of the cemetery site, which was RM100,000 per acre.
Both Kwang Tung and Foochow associations have five acres each, while SDNU has 10 acres of cemetery site to manage.
The Kapit MP also acknowledged that Abang Johari had promised RM5 million in financial aid to the Methodist church during the latter’s walkabout in April. The RM3 million allocation is the first installment, and the remaining RM2 million will be given later, he assured.
He advised all the organisations to submit a progress report to the state government on their projects and use of the funds. — DayakDaily
