Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg – File photo
MIRI: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is disappointed that only RM735 million is allocated for the maintenance and upgrading of dilapidated schools as announced during the presentation of Budget 2020 in Parliament on Friday.
Abang Johari said he expected a bigger amount as the education sector is quite critical, especially in terms of infrastructure.
“This is not as expected. Take note that the dilapidated school problem, they just give about RM700 over million.
“I expected more because the education (sector) is quite critical now in terms of infrastructure. But overall, it’s ok la..,” he said when met after attending the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s 83rd birthday celebration at Miri Stadium yesterday.
On Friday, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, when presenting Budget 2020, said the government would focus on the effort to upgrade dilapidated schools with an allocation of RM735 million in 2020, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.
When asked if Sarawak will apply for petrol subsidy for the B40 group to reduce the people’s cost of living, Abang Johari said the matter is up to the federal government.
“It’s up to them… as I said we cannot expect one hundred per cent because they say the government is facing difficulties, so we don’t expect much,” he said.