By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 22: The upgrading projects for SK Kpg Tebaang in Daro as well as SK Kpg Pergau and SK Bawang Tian in Matu will be retendered after over-budget bids by contractors in the first round of the procurement for the three projects.
Deputy Education Minister of Education Lim Hui Ying explained that following the tender process for the three projects under Igan parliamentary constituency, all tenders have submitted offers that have exceeded the approved costs.
“As such, the Federal Procurement Board Sarawak has decided that the projects will go for a re-tender,” she said in a reply to Ahmad Johnie Zawawi (GPS-Igan) during the question and answer session in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur today.
Ahmad Johnie hopes the tender process will be carried out accordingly so that upgrading projects will continue to be implemented.
“Dilapidated schools remained a major issue in Sarawak which were frequently brought up to this august House. It is hoped that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will not get tired of hearing the plight of our people.
“Sarawak lawmakers will not get tired of raising dilapidated schools. If there is a competition for dilapidated schools in the country, I am certain Sarawak is the champion,” he reminded.
Lim gave assurance that MOE is committed to ensuring a safe and conducive education infrastructure throughout Malaysia including in Sarawak.
From 2016 to 2022, she informed that a total 361 projects to upgrade and rebuild dilapidated schools throughout Sarawak have been approved at an overall cost of RM2.157 billion.
“Up until Jan 31, 2023, 216 projects have been completed, 57 projects are still under construction and 88 projects are at the pre-construction stage,” she said.
As for Igan constituency, Lim said so far the Ministry has identified six schools with dilapidated buildings whereby two schools have building blocks on a scale of seven and four schools with building blocks on a scale of six.
Applications for the upgrading of one of the two scale seven schools has been submitted under the third Rolling Plan for year 2023 and the other will be submitted under the fourth Rolling Plan for year 2024. — DayakDaily
