KUCHING, Dec 7: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii today criticised Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research (MESTR) Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong for making contradictory and inconsistent remarks to the press concerning electricity grid issue involving 113 schools.
“In a DayakDaily report, Manyin claimed the Ministry of Education (MOE) did not reply to the state’s request even though MESTR had written to MOE in June this year.
“I then followed up with the MOE and was informed by the ministry and was furnished with the letters of correspondence between the federal and state ministries dated Oct 24 and Oct 31, which was the latest reply for the state government,” said Dr Yii in a statement today.
According to Dr Yii, Manyin mentioned in his reply that he did furnish information of the correspondence in his press conference in DUN on Nov 13, but at a different platform on Nov 21, Manyin contradicted himself and said something else.
“This shows clear dishonesty and inconsistency to say at one platform that there were correspondences but in another platform saying there was none to paint a misleading picture of the federal government.
“It is not malicious or cheap politics, as alleged by Manyin, to point out discrepancies and inconsistencies in statements made but rather it is his responsibility as a minister to be consistent, truthful and to paint a correct picture of the situation in order not to rile up sentiments for any political mileage.
“What should be considered as cheap politics instead is the attempt to avoid taking up responsibility and purely pushing the blame to the federal government on the lack of basic amenities and dilapidated state of our schools. While education is under federal purview, the conditions of these schools happened due to chronic long-term neglect.
“As part of the ruling federal government before, they should have been highlighted it long before the condition of the schools were allowed to deteriorate to such extent, argued Dr Yii.
Dr Yii said when he followed the matter up with the MOE, he was informed that MOE had replied the state government on Nov 29, stating their commitment to work together to solve the issue for the benefit of the students.
“However, it is dependent on the legal process of cancelling the contract with Jepak Holding Sdn Bhd on the controversial solar power project that was signed in 2017 under the previous administration,” said Dr Yii.
He added that the federal government was also committed to address the issues of dilapidated schools in Sarawak, and this was reaffirmed by the minister’s previous visit.
“We can find ways to work together as education is a subject matter that transcends partisan politics. It involves our children and the state of education in Sarawak,” he said. — DayakDaily
