Let JKR connect schools to electricity grid – Dr Annuar

SIBU: The Public Works Department (JKR) is the best agency to connect those schools without electricity supply in Sarawak to the main grid.

According to Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, JKR has the necessary expertise for such task.

He said this when asked to comment on Education Minister, Dr Maszlee Malik who said recently that works to connect schools without electricity supply in Sarawak to the main grid have been assigned to Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak) based on the Treasury Department’s directive.

Maszlee had earlier mentioned that his ministry was working on supplying electricity to schools in Sarawak in four phases at a cost of RM400 million which included installing electricity grid to nearby schools as well as installing solar hybrid systems.

“I think they (Education Ministry) have to pass it (to JKR Sarawak) because JKR are the best people to do it. For example, (the upgrading of) 116 (dilapidated) schools in Sarawak this year by Education Ministry is not progressing as well as those done by JKR Sarawak.

“I think they (JKR Sarawak) are the best agency to implement it because they have the necessary expertise there,” Dr Annuar, who is Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health told reporters after launching the 5th Edition of SPM Intensive Clinic 2018 (Klik_SPM’18) at University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS) here yesterday.

The Nangka assemblyman opined that it was best for the Education Ministry to focus on strengthening the school curriculum as well as teaching and learning needs.

Works Minister Baru Bian had expressed confidence of connecting those schools without electricity supply in Sarawak to the main grid if the works were assigned to them, but subject to budget availability.

For the record, there are 371 schools in Sarawak, relying on diesel generators for power supply.

Asked on Pan Borneo Highway project, Dr Annuar said the state government would give its full cooperation like what it did for educational matters to Ministry of Education.

He was glad to note that Baru would monitor the progress of the mega project personally.

“He is a Sarawakian, he has to do it. Otherwise, who else wants to do (the monitoring) if not himself. I think that this is the best way for the Pan Borneo Highway project to progress well,” he added.

Baru had said works on the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sarawak was progressing well, while that in Sabah was very much delayed.