'We don’t need multi-million ringgit revival for education hub'

Opposition lawmakers have called on the Higher Education Ministry not to foot the bill to revive an abandoned education hub in Terengganu.

Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli called on Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh today to recuse himself from making any decision on the Taman Ilmu project in Besut.

This is because the project was first conceived during Idris' time as Terengganu menteri besar.

"So, there is a conflict of interest... If Idris is honest, he will recuse himself from any decision on Taman Ilmu," Rafizi said at a press conference in the media room of Parliament.

"We wish to warn Idris not to use any allocation from the Higher Education Ministry for this failed project... at a time when (government) allocations for higher education have been slashed," he added.

On Feb 1, Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman was reported as saying that talks were underway with the Higher Education Ministry to revive the Taman Ilmu project.

Razif said the project was expected to be completed in October.

The project, which started in 2004, was reportedly halfway through when it was abandoned, after Idris' rival Ahmad Said become Terengganu menteri besar following the 2008 general election.

It was initially said to cost RM300 million.

Citing sources, Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said the cost has ballooned to RM872 million.

This includes RM230 million it would take to repair the facilities and replace equipment, such as generators, which have been allegedly stolen or damaged.

Batu Burok assemblyperson Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, who was also present at the press conference, said the repair costs alone would be enough to build a brand new university.- Mkini