SEBUYAU: Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi has approved an allocation of RM500,000 under the Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) for the construction of a much-needed multipurpose hall at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sebuyau.
Julaihi, who is the Sebuyau assemblyman, said the initiative aims to address the pressing need for adequate facilities at the school.
During a visit to the site earmarked for the construction of the multipurpose hall on Sunday (Feb 11), he observed that the current conditions, particularly for boarding students, were subpar.
He lamented that the dining facilities consisted of makeshift setups under canopies, with tables set up in open spaces due to the inadequacy of existing infrastructure.
The existing hall was deemed unsuitable for dining purposes, and other buildings on the premises were in a state of disrepair, posing safety concerns.
“It is pitiful to see boarding students having to be provided with dining space outside the temporary roofed building, with canopies used to cover the area and tables set up in open spaces for meals.
“Similarly, the existing hall cannot be used for dining purposes. Other buildings are also in a dilapidated and unsafe condition but are still being used out of necessity, as there are no other options available,” he said in a Facebook post.
On the same note, Julaihi expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the construction of a full-fledged replacement school in the area, despite the allocation of funds by the Ministry of Education nearly a decade ago.
“This is the situation of the school that is still awaiting the construction of a full replacement school on a new site in the expanding area of the new town of Sebuyau.
“The site has already been identified and approved, even though the allocation from the Ministry of Education was approved almost 10 years ago,” he said.
Towards this end, he urged the ministry to prioritise addressing the urgent needs of SMK Sebuyau and expedite the process of building a new school in line with the planned expansion of the town.
