RM112 mln for Sabah schools

A big chunk of the Federal Government’s allocation for education under the Special Stimulus Package will go to schools in Sabah, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.
He said Sabah will receive RM112 million

 Sabah will receive RM112 million

He said RM95.9 million will be disbursed to 283 government schools and RM3.7 million will go to 74 missionary schools.

The 70 Chinese schools in Sabah will receive RM10.8 million and two government assisted religious schools will be given RM1.5 million, he said.

“This is meant to finance construction, upgrading and maintenance works at the identified schools, with priority given to repairing schools categorized as badly damaged,” he said.

Musa, who announced this when presenting allocation for missionary schools at SM Lok Yuk here yesterday, said that though the biggest percentage of the allocation will go to government schools, it does not mean the Ministry of Education is focusing only on certain types of schools and sideline other types of schools.

“In fact, the government is very committed in assisting the schools concerned. Apart from development allocation, the government-aided schools also receive various other forms of assistance. “I would like to stress that the government will continue to empower the education sector in Sabah by channeling necessary allocation and assistance. “In this context, the State Government also provides annual allocation to missionary schools and non-Islamic bodies. This proves the government emphasizes on human capital development regardless of religion, race and culture,” he said.

Musa, who is also state Minister of Finance, said the allocation for the Chinese schools will be distributed soon. On another matter, the Chief Minister said it is expected of the opposition to brag and exaggerate whenever there are one or two people crossing over from Barisan Nasional (BN) to join them.

However, he said, the people in Sabah will not be swayed by such tactic as they remain firmly behind Barisan Nasional.

“This is because the people realise that the BN Government walks the talk and fulfills its promises,” he said.

Musa stressed that BN has a good track record and he is confident the people would know how to value what is good for them, as far as choosing political parties is concerned.

“So there is no need to worry or get excited, but we just concentrate on doing our works, go to the ground and meet the people.

Musa refuted opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that Sabah BN is in trouble following the defection of several senior leaders.

“I want to tell you that in Sabah, we remain united. BN and Umno are working together well and we remain strong and united,” he said.

Musa said when many elected representatives who left the opposition for BN in the past, the coalition never make such a big hoo-hah about it like the opposition.

“Instead, we just continue with our works. But here, just because two people left BN and joined the opposition, they already brag around too much about it.

“We, BN, are really transparent and caring in doing our works not only for the people but the whole aspect of development,” he said

Source: Borneo Post