Upset with the poor state of schools in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak, a member of parliament (MP) today urged the Education Ministry to form a special committee to address the issue.

Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) said the committee should study the needs of such schools to resolve the issue of dilapidated schools.

"The leaders should not only come here during the general election to distribute allocations," he said

Abdul Ghapur said urgent action is needed if the government is serious about closing the education gap and ensure that all schools receive equal treatment.

"We will reach 2020 in four years and it will be a shame if there are still dilapidated schools by then," he added.

Meanwhile, Joseph Salang Gandum (BN-Julau) suggested the government look into the potentials of several rivers in the country for the building of micro-hydro project to address electricity problem, especially in the rural areas.

He said there were several rivers, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, which were suitable to be used to build mini-dams and did not involve high cost.

"In Sarawak, there are a few micro-hydro projects built by the local community," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech in the Dewan Rakyat.

Henry Sum Agong (BN-Lawas) said the federal government should expedite implementation of infrastructure projects in the interior areas in Sarawak, especially for the provision of clean water, electricity and road.

He said several of the projects had been approved, but had yet to take off the ground due to delay in the appointment of contractors.

"Several important projects have been approved in my constituency, like the Mara Junior Science College, airport police station and Immigration office. I hope these projects can be implemented as schedule," he added.

He also hoped that a Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) could be built in Lawas, as well as the 1Malaysia People's Housing Project and the Rumah Mesra Rakyat.

The Parliament sitting continues tomorrow.

- Bernama