BARU Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan) has called for drastic measures to arrest the decline in the standard of education of Sarawakians that has ‘fallen so much’.
Baru, who is state PKR chairman, said he had on more than one occasion pointed out that the state could not leave this most important and basic facility to the federal government because the ministers and bureaucrats in Putrajaya did not have Sarawak’s interest in their priority list.
“We should seriously consider reclaiming our education portfolio and implement policies that will produce first-rate Sarawakian professionals, technicians, workers and tradesmen,” he said in his debate on the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri’s speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here yesterday.
In view of the recent debate on the suitability or otherwise of teachers from Peninsular Malaysia for the state’s rural schools, Baru again called for more locals to be trained as teachers and for more Sarawakians to be posted to local education offices and government departments.
“It is high time we insist on the implementation of our Borneonisation point in the Malaysian Agreement.”
He highlighted the great concern and fears of locals on the Petronas pipeline passing through many villages in his constituency, especially after the explosion on June 9 last year.
“Although I have been briefed constantly by Petronas executives and representatives in Sarawak on the progress of the investigation and what had been done so far, the people are demanding to have the report on this explosion made public and the assurance that this kind of explosion will not recur.
“Can the minister in charge give us the assurance that this will be done? Secondly, many claims of native customary rights (NCR) along the right of way (ROW) are denied and still pending arbitration hearing. I urge the relevant authorities to expedite these hearings and pay compensation accordingly.”
On the construction of SK Long Sukang, Baru said the progress was unsatisfactory and not up to expectations, so the authorities should look into the reasons for the delay and act if the contractor was at fault.
“On SK Lg Semadoh, I welcome the approved budget of more than RM700,000 to construct the boys and girls’ dormitory but the whole school needs to be rebuilt.
“I visited this school twice, the latest two weeks ago. The pathetic state of this school would cause any person to silently grieve for the children and staff. I hope our minister in charge bring this to the attention of the federal education minister.”