Special unit to be set up to help Chinese schools

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Abang Johari (centre) holds up the ‘Cai Qing’ done through a lion dance performance during the festive do. Seen from third right are Dr Sim, Chong and Chai. – Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg says he is mulling over the viability of setting up a special unit to financially assist independent Chinese secondary schools and aided Chinese primary schools in Sarawak.

The Chief Minister said such consideration emerged following a recent request by a Chinese school board here.

“I’m looking into a request of a Chinese school board. Perhaps we can have a special unit to assist Chinese middle schools and Chinese primary schools.

“The purpose of having this unit is that we hope that these schools can work together with the Sarawak government in terms of funding,” he said at a Lunar New Year dinner held at the Alumni Hall of SJK Chung Hua No.3 at Jalan Padungan here last night.

The festive gathering was jointly organised by five Hakka clan bodies namely the Sarawak Hakka Association, Kuching Taipoo Community Association, Sarawak Hopoh Association, Kuching Kaying Community Association and Kuching Fui Tung Onn Association.

Abang Johari, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said the state has imposed the five per cent sales tax on petroleum products.

“We can use this money (revenue collected from the new sales tax) to help our people, for the development of Sarawak and welfare of Sarawakians,” he added.

Among those present were Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Sarawak Hopoh Association president Chong Thian Poh and organising chairman Datuk Dr Chai Khin Chung.