New rep worries about unfulfilled promise

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Drahman (fifth right) handing over a token of appreciation to Abdul Yakub, while Morshidi (fourth right) and others look on.

Drahman (fifth right) handing over a token of appreciation to Abdul Yakub, while Morshidi (fourth right) and others look on.

SIBU: The unfulfilled promise to build the proposed SMK Balingian is giving newly minted Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi sleepless nights.

The keenly awaited project was proposed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

“Now, we are (already) in the 11th MP, but nothing seems to be moving. So, that is why we really need to chase after them to get it (project) done. I had also voiced this out in the last State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

“The other day, our DPM (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) promised

to follow up for us. Probably, the next round, we ourselves will have to go and meet them there to follow up. I am planning to go and see the PM (Prime Minister) on this matter and then, meet the education head in Kuala Lumpur soon,” Abdul Yakub told The Borneo Post when met after attending the Borneo Cultural Festival 2016 at the Malay/Melanau Pavilion here on Saturday night.

Among those present were Sibu Melanau Association (PMS) chairman Drahman Jabar and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) acting secretary Morshidi Fredrick.

The then Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had promised to build SMK Balingian during the Balingian by-election in 2014.

Muhyiddin was reported by the media then as having announced the approval of RM60 million for the building of a 24-classroom new secondary school which would be able to accommodate 800 students from the Balingian sub-district community.

Separately, during the ‘Leader with the people’ gathering at Kampung Masjid in Balingian sub-district in April this year, Ahmad Zahid had said the proposed SMK Balingian would be constructed soon, adding that land had been identified and the building plan was being drawn up.

On this, Abdul Yakub said: “I have mentioned it during his (Ahmad Zahid) visit and he will look into that matter. We are working towards it. Something must be happening within these five years.”

Asked how confident he was in getting the ball rolling, he said he would do his level best.

“I will go for it for I really want it to happen during my five years tenure. I really want to do it; get it done instead of just a mere promise.”

He noted the earth-filling required a lot of money as it involved raising the ground level by about five metres.

Abdul Yakub, 56, is the first term assemblyman for Balingian, after its incumbent Yussibnosh Balo was moved to the new seat of Tellian.

Prior to this, Abdul Yakub was walikota for Dalat Mukah District Council.

Still on the proposed school, he said it would greatly lessen the burden of parents as the nearest secondary school is in Mukah, some 40 minutes drive from Balingian.

Touching on treated water supply in Balingian areas, he said the problem at times was mainly technical, which was unavoidable when the pump failed to function.

Concerning the rebuilding of the Kampung Baru Bridge, he said physical works started last year but appeared to be a bit slow.

As for the bridge for Kampung Suyong, he said funding for it was already available and the project was in the tendering process.

Earlier, Drahman said PMS has played a pivotal role in preserving the culture and tradition of the Melanau community.

Among others, he said PMS organised cultural activities to preserve the community’s unique culture like the staging of cultural performances at the Malay/Melanau Pavilion on Saturday night.

The BCF 2016 is being held from July 21 to 31 at Sibu Town Square Phase 1.