By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 27: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen has once again called on Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee to produce the full specifications and also justify the spending of nearly RM90 million for the construction of SK Ulu Segan and SK Maludam.
During the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting last month, the august House was told that the state government had allocated more than RM40 million each for the relocation and rebuilding of SK Ulu Segan in Bintulu and SK Maludam in Betong.
“But according to my ground survey, these schools are not located in the interior. Both schools’ sites are accessible by tar-sealed roads and near to Bintulu town and Betong town,” he told a press conference at the DAP headquarters here today.
Thus, Chong urged Dr Annuar, who is also the Nangka assemblyman, to produce the specifications of the school’s construction projects.
“How is he going to justify spending the state government’s money of more than RM40 million to build one school that has only around 250 students?
“Are they building a college or a primary school? There is no way to build a primary school at a cost of more than RM40 million.”
Chong pointed out that the Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research was answerable to the people on how the state government approved these projects.
“Don’t treat projects for schools as the ATM (automated teller machine) of GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government.”
In last DUN Sitting, Dr Annuar explained that the huge allocation for the relocation of the two schools at RM88.42 million was due to three main factors, namely the construction of dormitory buildings, locations and land structures.
He also explained that the different costs were projected for each school based on different requirements, and the number of students was not the determining factor. — DayakDaily
