KUCHING, Feb 22: The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) has delegated authority to the director of the Education Department Sarawak to approve Sarawak government-funded projects.
According to a press release, the director is also given authority over other projects that are not funded by the Sarawak government but require prior approval from the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD) Sarawak.
“This is considered a major step forward by MOE as a result of several discussions between MEITD and MOE on the subject of MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)), particularly Paragraph 17 of the IGC (Inter-Governmental Committee) Report 1962.
“All this while, the authority to approve projects, even though they are funded by the Sarawak government, lies with MOE in Putrajaya. This has caused delays in the approval process and hence the implementation of the project,” read the press release.
It went on to say that projects under Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), Minor Rural Project (MRP), and other minor projects approved by local representatives or state assemblymen (ADUNs) were delayed, much to the disappointment of both the ADUNs and the project beneficiaries, in this case students, parents, and teachers.
“ADUNs are very well-known for providing assistance through their annual RTP and MRP allocations to schools and other educational institutions.
“With this delegation of authority, delays in approval of projects will be a thing of the past.”
Datuk Indera Nik Nasarudin Mohd Zawawi, secretary general of Moe, handed over a document delegating authority to Datu Dr Azhar Bin Ahmad, director of the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS).
The handover was witnessed by Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education Malaysia, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister for Education, Innovation, and Talent Development Sarawak, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy Minister for Education and Innovation Sarawak, and other MOE and MEITD representatives. — DayakDaily
