Construction of SK Dudong starting 2025 augurs well for Lanang folks

SIBU (Oct 19): The announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday about SK Dudong going to be among the 44 new schools to be built starting next year, augurs well for the people of Lanang.

In lauding the announcement, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Dudong branch chairman Wong Ching Yong points out that the existing two schools, SK Sibu Jaya and SMK Sibu Jaya, are overly congested.

“The people of Lanang will be extremely happy. With the support of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, I wrote a letter to the Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) in September 2020, (about the proposal) to build two new schools in Sibu Jaya, because SK Sibu Jaya and SMK Sibu Jaya have become too crowded, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The construction of SMK Dudong was approved under Budget 2022, while SK Dudong now has been approved under Budget 2025.

“(Former Dudong assemblyman) Datuk Dr Soon Teck initially proposed to build these two schools in 2010. The proposal was approved in 10MP (10th Malaysia Plan) but after Dr Soon retired, the allocations were removed from 11MP,” said Wong when asked about his reaction on Budget 2025.

He added: “Fortunately, all the planning approvals from State Planning Authority (SPA), Education Department, Land and Survey, Sarawak Energy, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Sibu Water Board (SWB), and Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) were still intact.

“With the approval under Budget 2025, I am hopeful that the construction of SK Dudong will kick off soon.

“I urge YB (elected representative) Alice Lau to keep an eye on the construction progress of SMK Dudong and SK Dudong since she is the MP of Lanang.”

Wong highlighted that while the construction of SMK Dudong was approved under Budget 2022, the people had been asking about its development due to its lack of information.

“It is the duty of YB Alice Lau and (Dudong assemblyman) Dato Sri Tiong King Sing to ensure that the funds approved will not be ‘hijacked’ again.”