By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 18: Sarawak has taken over upgrading projects involving SMK Gedong and SK Sageng amid slightly lower federal government allocations, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the State Government was stepping in to ensure students continued to receive quality education and access to up-to-date knowledge, regardless of where the funding came from.
“Although the federal government’s allocation has been reduced slightly, the State Government is taking over the school projects in Sageng and Gedong.
“We do not look at where the funding comes from. What matters is that our children must be trained and equipped with the latest knowledge,” he said at the launch of the ‘Satu Pemimpin, Satu Kampung’ programme in Kampung Gedong today, which was livestreamed on the Sarawak Public Communication Unit’s (UKAS) Facebook page.
When tabling the Supply Bill (2027), 2026, or Sarawak Budget 2027, on Oct 12, Abang Johari announced an additional RM29 million allocation for urgent redevelopment or upgrading works at SMK Gedong, SK Sageng, SJKC Tong Ah and SK Tupong.
The allocation came on top of RM1 billion previously advanced by Sarawak to Putrajaya for school upgrades, of which RM700 million had been disbursed as at Oct 12.
Beyond education, Abang Johari said a planned dual-carriageway linking Munggu Kopi in Serian to Gedong, Samarahan and Sebuyau, before extending to northern Sarawak, would improve access to markets for local producers and open up new areas for development.
“The development in the Samarahan-Simunjan area should be integrated to bring urban and rural communities closer together and ensure more people benefited from economic growth,” he added.
On agriculture, he said Gedong was expected to benefit from a new rice variety that could regrow after harvesting, reducing the need for farmers to replant for every planting cycle.
He said the use of new agricultural technology would help improve productivity and support the livelihoods of rural communities. — DayakDaily
