Abang Johari (sixth right) with Dr Yii (right), Dr Sim (fourth right), Chai (fifth right), Chan (seventh right), Manyin (eighth right) and some of the donors of the SJK Chung Hua Bako relocation fund at the anniversary celebration cum fundraising dinner. — Photo by Chimon Upon.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will allocate RM8 million to support Chinese vernacular schools in the State this year.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in announcing the grant last night said it was an increase of one million ringgit from last year’s RM7 million.
“This RM1-million increase is to acknowledge the importance of education to the Chinese community. The Chinese community will sacrifice themselves for good education for their children, as this is a topic close to their hearts.
“Therefore, I would like to announce this RM1-million increase from last year’s RM7 million, making it RM8 million in total allocation to vernacular Chinese schools in the State,” Abang Johari said in his speech at the Federation of Boards of Management of Aided Chinese Primary Schools of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions 35th Anniversary cum fundraising dinner for SJK Chung Hua
Bako.
He also approved RM3 million for the federation to help finance the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako to Taman Berlian in Kota Samarahan here.
“When the federation came to pay me a courtesy call on Feb 14, I told them that I would match them one-for-one. I was told that they managed to raise a little over RM3 million, thus I will be allocating a grant of RM3 million for the relocation of SJK Chung Hua Bako,” Abang Johari said.
He also said that he would look into the federation’s request of the alienation of the piece of land on which SJK Chung Hua No 3 islocated to the federation as it is rented from the Kuching South City Council (MBKS).
Earlier, the federation’s president Jonathan Chai Voon Tok also appealed Abang Johari to set up an administrative unit under the Chief Minister’s Department to look after the interest and financial needs of mission and Chinese schools in the state.
“The allocation of funds for these schools by the Federal Government annually can hardly meet their actual needs, thus it is imperative to form such a unit to provide a lending hand to these schools,” Chai stressed.
Meanwhile, organising chairman of the event Rodger Chan said that the fundraising for SJK Chung Hua Bako was about building the future of the children in Sarawak.
“Education excellence is the key to all the leadership in our country—education creates the manpower and brain power we need for the future we want.
“Children are the future of the country, and education is the future for kids, hence education is our future. I look foward to full education autonomy for Sarawak for a promise of a better Sarawak,” Chan said in his speech.
Among the guests at the dinner were Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, MBKS Mayor Datuk James Chan, Kuching Chung Hua Middle School No 1, 3 and 4 chairman Datuk Richard Wee and Chung Hua Primary Schools No 1 to 6 management board chairman Wong Tiong Hook.

BY  JOASH KONG ON SARAWAK