RM1 million for four aided Chinese primary schools
KUCHING: Four aided Chinese primary schools here and in Serian were given a special federal grant totalling RM1 million yesterday.
SJK Chung Hua Syn San Too received RM300,000, SJK Chung Hua Batu 35, Serian and SJK Chung Hua Batu 7, Matang received RM250,000 each and SJK Chung Hua Batu 11, Matang was given RM200,000.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi handed over the cheques to representatives of these schools during a simple ceremony at the VIP Lounge of Kuching International Airport here.
Speaking to journalists after the handover, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said he was grateful that the federal government “selectively gives grants to schools in Sarawak”.
According to the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party ( SUPP) president, the schools were in need of funds to implement their respective development projects.
Dr Sim said the RM1 million was additional to the annual grant allocated for aided Chinese primary schools under the national budget.
He said SJK Chung Hua No. 4 and SJK Chung Hua Moyan were given RM2 million each last year.
“This is in addition to the RM50 million allocated to the Education Ministry every year. This special grant is given based on needs. I applied for the special grant for those Chinese schools.
“And the federal government approved RM1 million. Today ( yesterday), I’m glad that he
And the federal government approved RM1 million. Today (yesterday), I’m glad that he (Zahid) is here to deliver the real cheques to these Chinese schools. Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Local Government and Housing Minister
(Zahid) is here to deliver the real cheques to these Chinese schools,” he said.
Dr Sim said the annual allocation of RM50 million was not enough to meet the needs of 1,300 aided Chinese primary schools across the country, and out of the total RM9 million to RM10 million would be given to Sarawak.
“And Sarawak alone has 222 aided Chinese primary schools. So the special grant is given based on needs and requirements.”
He believed that the state government, under the leadership of Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, will come up with revenue-generating mechanism to help more schools in Sarawak.
“The state government has no question about our commitment to get back our oil and gas rights. And we will have more funds to build more schools,” he added.
Dr Sim said Sarawak was given one- third of the RM45- billion profit made by Petronas last year.
“This was when the crude oil price was US$ 52 per barrel and now the price is US$ 70 per barrel,” he said.
He hoped that Abang Johari would launch more business models to generate more and new revenue for Sarawak.
Among those present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan.