ADUN SPEAKS | It is a step in the right direction for both federal and tate governments to put aside their political differences to address the issue of dilapidated schools in Sarawak. 

The school children in these rural schools have suffered enough and the Pakatan Harapan federal government, in their financial constraint caused by the previous BN federal government, had put aside their political pride by accepting the state government’s offer to the proposed contra formula. 

This shows that the federal government is genuinely keen to resolve the issue and does not discriminate against those who are not with them in governance as Sarawak is an opposition state. 

In accepting the formula proposed, the federal government has to be aware of the many other benefits such as the spin-off effects for our state economy and the loss of interest by the federal government which might otherwise have been charged on this RM1bil loan and which were not due for payment yet. 

These spin-off benefits would therefore come with the blessings of the federal government for the people of Sarawak.

For the past two and a half years since the issue of dilapidated schools were first highlighted in the press, we were informed that there were 1,020 schools in Sarawak categorised as in dilapidated condition with 434 schools in urgent need of repair. 

Since then, there has been no reduction in these numbers. And the constant grouse by the state government for this failure had been the lack of funds by the federal government. 

Now that this has been addressed by both governments of the day and a winning formula has been agreed on, the ball is now in the court of the state government to deliver and physically resolve the issue. 

The proposed setting up of the special committee comprising of representatives from the Finance and Education ministries as well as the state government to oversee the work ahead is the right start. 

There is much work to be done for this special committee and they need to go down to the ground to engage with the all stakeholders and players of the industry. 

Of imperative importance is the need for the state government to be transparent for every cent spent as the federal government is taking a calculated risk by placing the authority in an opposition state’s hands to appropriate the funds. 

The committee should consider appointing a few of the state opposition members to sit in with them in order to prove Sarawak state government’s sincerity and commitment to resolve the issue in a transparent manner and not to politicise the matter.

It is hoped that this commendable move of keeping education out of partisan politics would prompt both levels of government to continue to seek ways to resolve other education issues plaguing our state and country. Our children deserve nothing less from both ruling governments.  

IRENE MARY CHANG OI LING is the assemblyperson for Bukit Assek in Sarawak.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.