Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the ministry had authorised the Education Ministry on Aug 5 to begin early works, while Works Minister Baru Bian said tenders had been called for 10 packages of works on three schools each.
The statements by the two ministers came hours after FMT reported this morning of the conditions at Ulu Bawan national primary school, near Kanowit, where pupils and teachers have to struggle with a lack of facilities while dealing with floods and termite-ridden buildings. (While leaders squabble, pupils struggle with termites and floods)
In Putrajaya, the finance ministry issued a written statement in response to remarks by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg on Saturday that dilapidated schools were yet to be repaired.
It said a letter was issued on Aug 5 authorising the Education Ministry to begin early works, and a further letter on Aug 14 informing the education ministry about payments by the Sarawak state government. The education ministry was urged to take action on the first phase of the project.
The federal government had also approved the state government’s application for repairs to be monitored by the Sarawak Public Works Department, as well as for preference to be given to local contractors, the Malay Mail reported quoting the statement.
The department also identified seven dilapidated schools for which tenders could be called by today with tenders for the remaining 30 schools to be called by the end of October.
At a meeting with residents on Sunday, Abang Johari had urged federal authorities to begin repairs immediately. He said the state government had not been informed about when repairs would take place.
However, Works Minister Baru Bian said in Kuching today that the federal government had allocated RM100 million for repairs to be carried out this year. The repairs were a priority, he was reported as saying, and the state and federal governments would cooperate to ensure that repairs were carried out as soon as possible
Baru is state assembly member for Ba’Kelalan.