Education Minister Maszlee Malik said today that he has instructed for diesel to be provided to schools in Sarawak without a supply of electricity as soon as possible.

“These schools were supposed to get their diesel supply from Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd, but the company has failed to prepare sufficient supply.

“I will ensure the diesel supply can reach the respective schools as soon as possible before the students return from their holidays.

“I have instructed my ministry to purchase diesel as an immediate step,” he said in a statement.

According to Maszlee, the Finance Ministry will allocate the necessary funds to the Sarawak education department immediately. 

It was previously reported that Jepak Holdings was given a contract without open tender to implement a solar hybrid project worth more than RM1 billion in January 2017. 

The project involved installing a solar hybrid system, maintaining generators and providing diesel to 369 rural schools in Sarawak.

This direct appointment was allegedly ordered by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, and bypassed the Education Ministry’s standard operating protocol and processes. 

The company, however, denied any wrongdoing in the matter, but did concede that the project was secured through direct negotiations with the previous administration.

Maszlee previously revealed that the project was supposed to be 51 percent complete as of May 15, but falls far short of the estimated figure. 

The MACC had also stated that its preliminary investigation into the issue began in April, prior to the 14th general election.