You’re barking up the wrong tree, Penguang tells Chong
MIRI: Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil chided Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen for attacking Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on the proposed RM1billion loan offer from the Sarawak government to Putrajaya to repair dilapidated schools in the state.
The Marudi assemblyman said Chong, who is also Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs as well as Sarawak DAP chairman, was ‘ barking up the wrong tree’ and should instead ‘train his guns’ on the federal government to secure more funds for Sarawak instead of accusing the chief minister of playing politics.
“Chong should be supporting instead of complaining about the state government’s efforts and intention for the greater good by pushing Putrajaya to support this initiative for the sake of rural students,” he said when contacted yesterday.
In a press conference at the sidelines of the State Legislative Assembly sitting, Chong dismissed the proposed loan as political ploy and tactic by Abang Johari and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), saying it does not hold water as education is a federal matter.
The deputy minister had questioned the sensibility of the Sarawak government in the issue of its readiness to extend a RM1-billion loan to the federal government for repairs and upgrading of schools in Sarawak.
Penguang, however, said Chong should take the Sarawak government’s offer in good spirit as a true Sarawakian, and as a strong commitment by the GPS government in trying to make good on the dilapidated schools for the sake of children and future generations.
“To me, it is indeed the most appropriate move in order not to jeopardise the integrity and performance of our rural schools which are still way behind in terms of the provisions of necessary facilities like those in the towns and cities,” he said.
Penguang has consistently called on the government to allocate more funds to repair dilapidated schools in Sarawak, particularly in his rural constituency.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin in his winding-up speech informed the august House that the chief minister has yet to get a reply after making a written offer to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Aug 1 this year, of the Sarawak government’s proposed RM1billion loan to resolve the issue of dilapidated schools in the state.
The minister called on Putrajaya to honour the RM1- billion allocation which was approved for 2018-2019 by the previous administration, to undertake the repairs of dilapidated schools in Sarawak which is over and above the allocations under the 11th Malaysian Plan for the state.