Sarawak kids deserve better, says emotional Maszlee

Education Minister Maszlee Malik became emotional during a meeting at the Bintulu district education office in Sarawak while recalling his visit to two local primary schools, SK Sungai Selad and SK Sungai Setiam, that had been in a dilapidated condition.

"These kids deserve better, they should have books at home too," Maszlee said, choking up.

The minister had been attending a meeting with representatives of Petronas and Pan Borneo Highway.

The two government-linked companies had briefed the Simpang Renggam MP about their corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in Bintulu.

"Studies have shown that children will perform better in their studies and future career when they have access to books at home or a mini library.

"When I was young, I stayed with my grandfather. We were poor and I had a small collection of books at home," Maszlee said.

During his childhood days in Skudai Kiri, Johor, Maszlee said he would usually borrow books from his friends and some of his classmates even gave books to him.

"Books are very important to these children, be it storybooks or science fiction, it builds the dreams within the kids' heart."

Maszlee touched upon the issue of dilapidated schools in the state and pointed out that some of the schools were in poor condition during his childhood days nearly 40 years ago.

"When I visited SK Sungai Selad yesterday, the school was in such poor condition and it was very similar when I was growing up in Skudai Kiri, Johor by the sea.

"There were houses and small bridges built with wood. I was disappointed because I faced that situation during the 70s and 80s. In this era after more than 40 years, things are much better back in my hometown but not in Sarawak," he said.

"I'm sad to see this in Sarawak. The ministry will try to do our best to change that. I think Sarawakians deserve better than this." - Mkini