Sarawak mulls special unit for Chinese schools

KUCHING: A special unit could be set up in the state cabinet to oversee the financial needs of Chinese independent secondary schools (Du Zhong) and aided Chinese primary schools (Jin Tie Hua Xiao) across Sarawak.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says he is aware that these schools need financial assistance and that a Chinese school board has brought up the matter during a recent courtesy call on him.

At present, there are 14 Du Zhong and over 160 Jin Tie Hua Xiao throughout the state.

“I’m looking into a request of a Chinese school board. Perhaps we can have a special unit to assist Chinese middle schools and Chinese primary schools.

“The purpose of having this unit is that we hope that these schools can work together with the Sarawak government in terms of funding,” he said during a Lunar New Year dinner held at the Alumni Hall of Chung Hua Primary School No.3 at Jalan Padungan here on Saturday.

The festive do was jointly organised by five Hakka clan organisations; namely the Sarawak Hakka Association, Kuching Taipoo Community Association, Sarawak Hopoh Association, Kuching Kaying Community Association and Kuching Fui Tung Onn Association.

Abang Johari, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said his administration is determined to source for more revenue to implement more good economic policies that will have significant impact on the state’s development

He reminded all that the Sarawak government had imposed the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products.

“We can use this money (revenue collected from the new sales tax) to help our people, for the development of Sarawak and welfare of Sarawakians,” he said.

He hoped that all Sarawakians will rally behind him in bringing about further progress to the state.

“We are one, and we shall move forward together to develop our state of Sarawak.”

Abang Johari acknowledged that the economic outlook, be it at national or global level, may not be too good with the economy growing at quite a slow pace.

He said Sarawak would have to adapt to such economic scenario while striving to elevate its infrastructure development.

“This year, we have allocated big budget for infrastructure development in Sarawak as a move to speed up the economic development.