Elias Lipi Mat
MIRI: A local non-governmental organisation (NGO) welcomes the move by Sarawak government of offering the federal government a RM1-billion loan meant to upgrade dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
Dayak Think Tank Group (DTTG) Miri chairman Elias Lipi Mat believes that the Sarawak government is financially capable of providing such loan.
According to him, there are more than 200 dilapidated schools in Sarawak which are in dire need of attention from both Sarawak and federal governments.
“We believe that the loan could be fully utilised to upgrade all these schools, which are categorised as dilapidated,” he said when contacted yesterday.
Earlier this week, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg offered a RM1-billion loan to the federal government to upgrade schools categorised as ‘dilapidated’.
It is believed that the offer is still being considered by the federal government.
Adding on, Elias cited the fire tragedy at a rural primary school, SK Batu Bungan in Mulu – which claimed the life of a teacher – as a point to highlight the importance for the government to take immediate action in upgrading dilapidated schools.
“Such tragedy should be a good reason for the government to resolve the problems affecting dilapidated schools here, immediately,” he said.
Elias also expressed his condolences to the family of the late Catherine Janet Tiwi, 25, who perished in the fire, which struck SK Batu Bungan early Wednesday.
“It is not only a big loss to her (Catherine’s) family, but also to the Ministry of Education and the children whom she taught,” he said.