Lo: Fed govt has reaped so much from S’wak’s O&G to develop Malaya but can’t even fix State’s schools

Lo Khere Chiang

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 15: It is time the Federal government gives Sarawak back its oil and gas (O&G) resources and education autonomy for Sarawak to better take care of its development, including schools, instead of letting Sarawak face further neglect.

Expressing his disappointment, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang pointed out that the Federal government has reaped so much from Sarawak for the past 56 years, notably RM80 billion a year at least from oil and gas, that have gone to develop Malaya.

“I am aware that there are two schools in my constituency where some parts of the roads within the schools are in bad condition with uneven surfaces, cracks, and even sinkholes near the curb.

“Apart from the bad roads, there are also problems with septic tanks which require urgent replacements, soggy football fields which students cannot even play in, and one of the schools does not even have a proper hall,” he told DayakDaily when contacted today.

If the Federal government cannot even take care of and maintain these schools in the urban area, Lo said he could not imagine how they can take care of the schools in the rural areas of Sarawak.

“I suggest that the Federal government give us back our educational autonomy for us to take care of schools throughout Sarawak better.

“And I also think it is time that the Federal government give us back our oil and gas resources for us to develop and better take care of Sarawak,” he said.

Hence, Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, emphasised that Sarawakians must vote Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to send capable parliamentarians into the Federal government to fight for Sarawak and voice “our unhappiness and demands”.

“I believe that Sarawak will be the kingmaker this time. Whoever wins the election will depend on the 31 seats from Sarawak to form the Federal government.

“I want to encourage and remind people of Sarawak to vote wisely this time. Vote for Sarawak parliamentarians to make sure our voices are heard. The 31 seats will make a difference in the new government,” he added. — DayakDaily