by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 20: Sarawak’s Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian hopes the relocated SK Rantau Panjang, Batu Kawa will be ready by the second half of the schooling year with it now 98 per cent complete.
In a Facebook post after a work visit to the site, Dr Sim highlighted the poor condition of the school at its previous location, which was not only dilapidated but also situated in a flood-prone area.
He said, he held discussions with Public Works Department (JKR Malaysia) and contractors in hopes that works could be expedited, ensuring the school is completed in time for students, especially for Primary 6 students, to get the chance to experience the new facility by the last half of the school year.
The new RM20 million school will feature 6+6 classrooms and all necessary amenities.
Dr Sim recalled that the journey for the school’s relocation has been long and arduous but ultimately worthwhile.
SK Rantau Panjang had first received an allocation of RM10 million from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in 2017/2018 for its relocation. However, due to the administrative change in Federal government in 2018, the funding was halted.
Nevertheless, in July 2019, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revived the efforts to relocate the school with the Sarawak government’s advanced repayment of State loans.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof had then pushed for the building of the new school under JKR RMK11 Rolling Plan 4 in 2020 which led to the appointment of JKR Malaysia as the contractor for the project in September 2022.
Dr Sim noted that several ministers, including Minister of Education Fadhlina Sidek and Deputy Minister of Education Lim Hui Ying, have since visited the site of the new school to ensure the progress of the project remains on track.
“The journey for the school relocation may be unusually arduous but we never give up!” he said. – DayakDaily
