By Nancy Nais
SERIAN, Nov 21: The Sarawak government is still unable to connect 113 primary schools to the main electricity grid because its federal counterpart has yet to give their consent.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said he had written to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik in June this year on this matter.
“The Sarawak government is prepared to fund the implementation of electrical connection to 113 schools in Sarawak. We have approved an allocation of RM50 million for the project. These schools are still relying on generators for electricity supply.
“But until today, I have not received any reply from him (Maszlee). So, we cannot connect the power grids to these 113 schools. Education falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction, so we need their permission,” Manyin said when met at Serian District Office today.
He added that a follow-up letter was sent to Maszlee two weeks ago, but so far there has been no response.
“We have many schools that are still relying on generators. The money is ready, but we cannot proceed,” he said.
Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, added that the state government had also approved RM9 million for treated water supply projects to 30 schools in Sarawak.
However, this initiative cannot proceed for the same reason, he pointed out. — DayakDaily
