KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg has slammed Putrajaya for being too “egotistical” following its decision to turn down the Sarawak government’s offer of a RM1 billion loan to repair dilapidated schools in the state.
Sarawak government had proposed that the money meant to settle the state government’s existing debt to the federal government be used to repair old schools in the state.
He said the federal government had claimed to have insufficient funds for development projects in the state but yet it still refused to accept the RM1 billion “loan” to upgrade dilapidated schools.
He said education is supposed to be under the federal government’s purview.
In February, Education Minister Maszlee Malik had announced that the Cabinet had agreed that the Sarawak government’s RM1 billion debt with the federal government would be used to upgrade dilapidated schools in the state.
However, the offer was later rejected by Putrajaya. Instead, it requested Sarawak government to make an “advance payment” of RM1 billion for the repair works.
State Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Michael Manyin later said he will be making an appointment with Maszlee soon to discuss and make an appeal on the issue.
Abang Johari said the state government was not trying to show off when it offered the RM1 billion “loan” to Putrajaya to upgrade the dilapidated schools in Sarawak. The offer was made for the betterment of all students.
“I visited a school in Penasu and the condition was very bad.
“There were many holes on the walls at the teachers’ quarters and this was especially inconvenient and embarrassing for the female teachers.
“Some of these schools are 40 to 50 years old and in urgent need of repairs,” he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for Kampung Maludam’s Phase One extension scheme today.
He said the state government would also continue with other development projects, especially in rural areas, and those rejected by the federal government.
“If the federal government decides to be ‘buruk siku’ (to take back what was previously given), Sarawak government will not be ‘buruk siku’,” he reiterated. - FMT
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