PUSA: The standard operating procedure (SOP) of the Malaysian Ministry of Education (KPM) regarding the entry of politicians (people’s representatives) into schools and the distribution of aid should be reviewed.
Beting Maro assemblyman Razaili Gapor noted that the SOP, which was introduced in 2018 during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, continues to be enforced.
According to him, the SOP is hindering politicians and aid from reaching schools effectively.
“Under the subsequent federal government, up to the current Unity Government, the SOP is still in use.
“I visited this school yesterday for the first time in five years, and I did it only through permission.”
He said this when officiating the Pre-university Graduation Ceremony of SMK Pusa here, yesterday.
He added that the Sarawak government is trying hard to get education autonomy from the federal government.
“Now the government led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is fighting to take over the autonomy of education and health.
“The goal is for us to develop facilities in line with current needs.
“We consulted the Beting Maro state assembly itself, there are still many schools that need improvement in terms of new buildings that are complete with educational needs.”
SK Tambah, added Razaili, is among the schools that need to be completely replaced due to unsuitability for occupation.
“Similarly, schools that were upgraded using the industrialised building system (IBS) such as SK Muton, SK Semarang and SK Spinang, do not look durable and need attention.”
He encouraged the students to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, highlighting Sarawak’s potential in new economic fields, providing future high-paying job opportunities.
At the same event, he presented a RM10,000 cheque to SMK Pusa, with an additional RM20,000 to be distributed later in the year.
Earlier, principal Saini Bakar highlighted the school’s urgent needs, including a new lecture hall for pre-university use, solving electricity supply issues, and acquiring electronic equipment and furniture for classrooms.
Present at the event were Betong District deputy education officer (learning sector) Edie Rahmat Salleh and PIBG chairman Hussain Mili.
