KOTA KINABALU: The state government has been urged to conduct a study and prepare a concrete action plan to resolve issues pertaining to dilapidated schools in Sabah.
Sekong assemblyman Datuk Samsudin Yahya said this is because the federal government’s RM1 billion allocation under the 2018 Budget to refurbish rundown schools in the state is insufficient.
“In my constituency, there are many schools that need serious attention. These dilapidated schools were built before independence and the same structures are used until today.
“I propose for the RM1 billion allocation to be channeled to the state government and district education office directly to ensure the management of the upgrading projects can be implemented effectively and efficiently,” he said at the state legislative assembly sitting here today.
Shamsudin also urged Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who is also in charge of state education, to pay serious attention to the allocations for rundown schools.
On the issue of hotels prohibiting its frontliners from wearing the hijab, he called on the State Housing and Local Government Ministry to conduct a study on whether this was practised in Sabah.
“This should not have happened in a Muslim majority country. If this is an instruction, it clearly violates the national constitution,” he added.
Shamsudin also urged the Chief Minister’s Department, State Finance Ministry and State Economic Planning Unit to expedite the opening of a Mini Urban Transformation Centre in Sandakan.
He said there are 14 UTC facilities operating throughout the country, with two in Sabah (Kota Kinabalu and Tawau) and another in Labuan.
“The opening of a Mini UTC in Sandakan has been in the pipeline but until today, there is no sign that it will be in operation soon.
“I hope the Chief Minister’s Department and the relevant ministry will look into the matter and take into consideration the comfort and needs and of the people of Sandakan. As a concerned government, we must continue to improve and enhance our service to the people,” he said.