Rep calls for increased construction safety precautions

MIRI: Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting has called for greater safety precautions to be taken on all aspects at construction sites.

Ting said this in response to the CityONE Megamall Kuching explosion, which saw three killed and 41 injured on Tuesday ( Dec 4).

“This sad incident is hoped to raise awareness among the parties involved in construction work and we hope that such an incident will not be repeated,” he said when visiting SMK Chung Hua Miri yesterday to check on the progress of upgrading works under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP).

“Those involved in construction work should be vigilant in the project area.”

He said improvements at SMK Chung Hua Miri worth over RM200,000 involved part of its sports track and field, as well as the school’s 50-year- old library building.

Ting also visited SM Sains Miri and SMK Luak, where he said implementation of the RTP projects were underway.

“The allocation of this RTP proves that the state government is very concerned with the urgent needs of the schools, especially in improving the school facilities,” he said.

For SM Sains, the allocation is to build a stage and upgrade the hostel block, while for SMK Luak, the allocation is to repair classroom doors, the awning around the hall, as well as partial improvement of the hall’s stage.

“Education is a priority for the state government and we will always look after the welfare of our children,” Ting said.

Commenting further on the Malaysian education system, Ting said there are important matters, which should be taught to students.

“For example, our history facts in the books must be corrected. On Sep 16, 1963, Sarawak and Sabah did not join Malaysia, but we formed Malaysia. Make sure this fact is being changed first, rather than trying to add other things into the history textbook.

“It is time for the minister ( Maszlee Malik) to correct what is wrong in our history books and not add other unimportant matters.

“If we want to teach our children, teach something that our children can be very proud of, especially our state’s history and not the other way around where the important matters are not being looked into first,” he added.