SARIKEI, Mar 10: Sarawak government will honour and continue the last remaining payment of RM300 million from its RM1 billion loan to the federal government to fix dilapidated schools in the state.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the RM300 million will be paid by this year as agreed with the previous Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony to rebuild a dilapidated school SK Abang Aminin Meradong today, Abang Johari reiterated that the state had paid off RM700 million.
“Although the previous federal government asked the state to pay its own debt first if we wanted to improve the conditions of our schools in Sarawak and we did, they have yet to build or repair our schools, but we Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will honour and pay the rest as agreed in the contract.
“Now, I do not know where the money went because up to today, not even one school was repaired or built, not even the pillar (tiang),” he lamented, adding that certain conditions were also imposed by PH against Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the repairs of SK Abang Amin Phase 1 was supposed to be implemented in October last year.
Although the implementation and construction for this school were slow, Abang Johari said it was alright as it is finally done.
He also revealed in his speech that they had identified seven dilapidated schools in the area, namely SK Adin in Sarikei, SK Abang Amin and SK Ulu Binatang in Meradong, SK Nanga Meluan, SK Nanga Serau, SK Nanga Entaih and SK Pedanu in Julau.
The upgrading works of the seven schools under phase one and phase two will cost about RM60 million. —DayakDaily
