Sarawak minister claims Fadhlina refusing to meet

Sarawak’s Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Roland Sagah Wee Inn has questioned Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s alleged refusal to meet with his ministry since she took office.

The Borneo Post quoted Sagah (above, left), who in his ministerial winding-up speech during the state legislative assembly sitting today, said his ministry’s attempts to secure a meeting with Fadhlina have been ignored since December.

“I am aggrieved that our request to have a meeting with the federal minister concerned has not been successful and to add salt to the wound, there was no professional courtesy of inviting my ministry during her visit to Sarawak,” Sagah reportedly said.

He claimed that Fadhlina's maiden visit to the state in January was “choreographed” and “orchestrated” to only show good schools, while others facing pressing issues were left unattended.

He also said that was the only time he managed to meet Fadhlina, during a visit to Premier Abang Johari Openg in Kuching.

In his speech, Sagah reportedly said one of the pertinent issues faced by schools in Sarawak was the delay in the process of appointment and replacement of headmasters and principals.

He also pointed out issues of rundown buildings and facilities at SK Tebakang, SK Jalan Arang, and SMK Jalan Arang, as well as the requests for new buildings from SK Kuala Balingian, SK Jebungan, SK Kenyama, SMK Serian No 2, and SK Sri Sadong.

At the time, Fadhlina said the Education Ministry had identified 455 dilapidated schools in Sarawak which are on a scale of six and 113 dilapidated schools on a scale of seven - all of which refer to those with hazardous building conditions which are unsafe for use. - Mkini