By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 3: With just RM100 million allocated in Budget 2019 for dilapidated schools throughout the whole country, Sarawak may end up getting just between RM10-RM25 million at most, said Datuk Seri Michael Manyin Jawong.
The state Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research reminded that it would cost an estimated RM3 billion to repair 904 dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
Manyin believed that since Sarawak paid its taxes to the Federal Government it would only be fair for the Federal Government to fulfil its role as it falls under their purview.
“You and I paid taxes. We pay about 15 per cent (of the total national taxes) but what did we get? We get maybe 1.4 per cent in return. So this is where we Sarawakians have to fight (in election time),” Manyin told reporters after Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting at its headquarters here today.
He revealed that out of the 1,000 dilapidated schools in Sarawak, 116 had been repaired and upgraded by the previous administration while the remaining ones need urgent attention.
“To repair and upgrade the remaining 904 dilapidated schools in Sarawak, we need RM3 billion. But this time we get nothing from the Federal Government (under the Budget for 2019). So we may have to resort to State fund,” the PBB senior vice-president said. — DayakDaily
