Sarawak state government presents RM7 million grant to Chinese independent high schools
Oriental Daily
Kuching, April 3 – Walks the talk!
In recognition of the contribution made by the Chinese education, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari today presented the Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary Schools Management Board with RM7 million annual grant for the education fund of 14 independent high schools in the state!
He said he came here today to keep his promise, in which since he assumed the post of chief minister early last year, he had given RM6 million to the association, and this year the grant is increased to RM7 million, and increment of RM1 million.
He also announced the allocation of extra RM500,000 to assist SM Min Lit Batu Kawa in building a new classroom block.
Moreover, he also said he had identified a piece of land in Miri for the Chinese schools to develop and receive funds from the development.
Sarawak state government had begun to provide annual grant to the Chinese independent high schools since the late Tan Sri Adenan took over as the chief minister.
“I’m the same as Adenan, we will keep our promise to give annual grant to Chinese schools for development, just for the sake of Chinese community, all we need is helping each other.”
He pointed out that there are also Bumiputera and Malay students in the Chinese independent schools; Sarawakians are blessed as everyone lives in harmony.
In announcing the funding, Abang Johari also pledged that the Sarawak state government would continue its policy of recognizing Chinese independent secondary schools’ Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as advocated by Adenan, and also enabling Chinese students who hold the UEC to apply for Sarawak government job.
Among those present today were the association chairman Dato Vincent Lau Lee Ming, Local Government Minister Datuk Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Utilities Datuk Seri Dr. Stephen Rundi, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, State Assemblyman for Batu Kitang, Lo Khere Chiang, president of the Federation of Kuching and Samarahan Divisions Chinese Associations, Sarawak cum chairman of the Committee of Management of Kuching Chung Hua High School Richard Wee Liang Chiat and leaders of other Chinese associations.
In delivering his speech, Abang Johari also spoke a few sentences in Chinese language, at the opening of his speech he wished the participants “good afternoon” in Chinese and received a warm applause.
“My nephew is studying in Chinese school, and I learn Chinese from him.”
He stressed that now, with the rise of China, any development and trade actually need Chinese communication very much. Therefore, the Sarawak government insists on supporting the Chinese school, which is to continue the Chinese language education.
Lau Lee Ming who is also president of the United Chinese School Committees’ Association (Dong Zong), was gratified that Abang Johari valued Sarawak’s multi-stream education, especially recognizing the contribution of Chinese education to Sarawak state and the country and also continue to support the development of Chinese education with action.
He pointed out that the operational expenditure of 14 Chinese independent high schools in Sarawak is enormous, the chief minister and state government’s annual grant has lessened the financial burden of the schools.
“In order to achieve the development of schools, the construction and upgrading of soft and hardware facilities and equipment should not lag behind. The construction or upgrading of these facilities and equipment will require large sums of money, often in the millions or tens of millions. These are school development funds in addition to daily operations, and they are a significant sum to be reckoned with.”
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