RM138m to repair 50 dilapidated schools in Sarawak - Baru Bian

It will cost RM138 million to repair 50 dilapidated schools across Sarawak, Works Minister Baru Bian revealed today.

He said the first phase of repair works is expected to completed by the end of August.

After paying a courtesy call on Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg earlier, Baru was briefed on this matter by the Sarawak public works department at Wisma Saberkas in Kuching.

This is his maiden visit to his home state after his appointment to the cabinet.

"We have identified 116 schools affected for repair works," he said in a press conference.

The briefing was attended by senior officials of the Sarawak public works department and permanent secretary to the state infrastructure development and transportation, Safri Zainuddin.

Baru, who is also the Selangau MP, mentioned that another 210 dilapidated schools have also been identified but repair works would only start after the next budget.

The allocation budgeted this year is to be implemented for the 116 schools, he added.

"I promise I'll be back again and the next time, I would like to see the projects on the ground.

"As I've said, the areas of concern for me as a Sarawakian is about living in the rural areas, walking for three days to the nearest secondary school from my area to Lawas.

"Knowing the situation we are in, we are all here to help Sarawak in terms of infrastructure.

"Besides that, on the issue of dilapidated schools in the state, I've just been told that we have restrictions to repair and restore those schools in the rural and urban areas." - Mkini