KOTA KINABALU: A permanent solution to overcome the problem-affected structure of the Kota Kinabalu Politeknik (KKP) should be initiated immediately, said Education Exco Datuk Masidi Manjun.
He said, “the problem has lingered on for some time and has been well-publicised by the media too and it is obviously very serious as it involves the safety of the staff and students.
“What is urgently required is for serious action to be taken by the relevant authority to rectify or resolve the problem. Unfortunately I have not seen any sign of urgency on their part in tackling this problem.
“The problem has affected the intake of polytechnic students in Sabah. This should not have happened,” he added.
Masidi urged the relevant authority to consider other options like renting suitable premises as a temporary measure so that the intake of students as well as their studies are not affected.
He promised to raise the issue in the next Cabinet meeting.
Masidi was asked to comment on the allegation by Sabah PAS that the Kota Kinabalu Politeknik (KKP) has been allowed to use in structures which had not been given any Certificate of Fitness (CF).
PAS youth chief Lahirul Latigu claimed that a site investigation conducted by his party found there is truth to the allegations made by several people.
Lahirul had said, “we were made to understand that no CF was ever issued by the local athority, and the question is how was the institute, which comes under purview of the Higher Education Ministry (MHE), allowed to operate all this while,” he said.
He claimed that one of the buildings is unsafe after huge cracks appeared on its walls and floors, just nine years after it was completed and opened to students, adding, that City Hall had issued a notice to the parties concerned declaring the heavily damaged structure unfit for occupation.
“We have visited KKP and took pictures of the cracks at Block B, which is currently being repaired following serious underground movements beneath the building.
“PAS Youth urge the authorities concerned not to take the issue lightly as it involved the safety of the students, and it appears that the MHE seems to put the life of the students at risks by allowing the institute to operate without the necessary clearance (CF),” he said.