(Seated fifth from right) Lukanisman, Cr Sardon, Abu Bakar and PBB members at the breaking of fast.
MIRI: Members of public have been urged to give their fullest support towards the online petition launched by alumni of Teacher Training Institute (IPG) Sarawak to revoke the previous government’s intention to close down two IPG campuses in the state.
Sibuti MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the two campuses in Sarawak, IPG Rajang and IPG Sarawak Miri campus were among the nine IPG campuses throughout the country to be closed down by the previous government administration, to be turned into technical and vocational education training institutes (TVET).
“The decision to close the nine IPG campuses was made during the 2018 budget tabled by previous federal government administration. However, there was no clear blue print on the decision during that time,” he stated to the media in supporting the online petition conducted by the alumni IPG Sarawak when met during breaking of fast organised by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Piasau branch at Meritz Hotel here on Thursday.
As Pakatan Harapan (PH) is now the ruling federal government, Lukanisma joined the alumni IPG Sarawak in demanding that PH federal government review the decision.
“The IPG Sarawak Miri campus is in my constituency, thus it is my wish to see this training institute to be retained. I will bring this matter up at the first parliamentary sitting which is expected to be held after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”
Lukanisman added that maintaining the IPG campuses would enable the state government to achieve its target of 90 per cent local teachers in schools in Sarawak.
On the plan to set up more vocational colleges, he suggested the government turn unused buildings and shop lots into vocational and technical colleges.
Earlier, some 60 members of PBB Piasau branch joined the breaking of fast session.
He reminded the PBB members to stay united and continue to serve the people.
Also present were chairman of PBB Piasau branch Cr Sardon Zainal, chairman of PBB Pujut branch Abu Bakar Amit and chairman of PBB Senadin branch Cr Julaihi Mohamad.