KUCHING, March 1: The project cost of rebuilding SMK Sebuyau will need to be raised due to the change in the building’s structural design to incorporate seismic consideration to withstand natural disasters.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the change in the school’s structural design needed to be done in compliance with Malaysia Seismic Disaster Zone Map for Disaster Management issued by the Department of Minerals and Geosciences of Malaysia.
“The project is currently at the design stage. This caused an increase in the budget cost.
“With the cost increase, it will have to be submitted to the Ministry of Economy for approval and this project is expected to be tendered in early June 2023,” she said in replying to Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur yesterday (Feb 28).
The SMK Sebuyau rebuilding project was approved in the First Rolling Plan under 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) for 2016.
The scope of the project covers the construction of 36 classrooms, a dormitory for 500 students and other facilities at the cost of RM95,764,300. The construction period is for 36 months.
Fadhlina emphasised that the Education Ministry is committed to providing a safe infrastructure including ensuring that the building design is safe and meets the construction scope.
“MOE always strives to provide conducive education infrastructure to ensure teaching and learning can be carried out effectively,” she added.
As for the status of rebuilding of SMK Matu in Igan parliamentary constituency, Fadhlina informed the august House that the letter of offer for the project is expected to be issued on March 30 this year in which construction work will begin in mid-April.
“The project is currently at the tender evaluation stage by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak after the tender process on Nov 19, 2022,” she said in a reply to Ahmad Johnie Zawai (GPS-Igan) yesterday.
MOE has approved the rebuilding project for SMK Matu with 28 classrooms and other facilities under the Second Rolling Plan of the 11MP for 2017. — DayakDaily
