Premier: Sarawak govt recognises important role of Chinese-medium schools

MIRI (July 11): The Sarawak government recognises the important roles that Chinese-medium schools play in education, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the state government allocates RM10 million annually in support of Chinese-medium schools, which are traditionally strong in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

“We are weak in STEM subjects and that is why our government is placing strong emphasis on this, including setting up aerospace faculty, as we need this knowledge and scientists for the new economy,” he said when opening the relocated SJK Chiaw Nan here today.

He said Sarawak is strongly encouraging more students to take up STEM subjects to produce the pool of manpower needed to drive the new digital economy, technological fields, and renewable energy.

The state has already attracted many hi-tech investments including the world’s largest chip-testing plant, he said.

“There is increasing acceptance of Chinese school education in multiracial Sarawak. My niece is in a Chinese school and, nowadays, Malays or other races can understand Chinese and this augurs well for a competitive Sarawak,” he said.

Abang Johari said the recognition of China as an economic superpower and its technological prowess has driven demand for Chinese-medium education in Sarawak.

He said China’s technological advances are reflected in its building satellites and aircrafts that rival those of Western countries.

Under his watch, Abang Johari said Sarawak has provided funds to three Chinese schools for relocation under the matching grant concept, which was usually carried out with the help of Deputy Premier and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Meanwhile, SJK Chiaw Nan school board chairperson and managing director of developer Parabena Datuk Raziah Mahmud said it was an honour to be able to contribute towards the advancement of education in Sarawak.

Raziah said she did not hesitate to donate the 10-acre site for SJK Chiaw Nan when the school’s request was first presented to her by Datuk Hii King Chiong.

In his speech, Hii thanked Abang Johari and the Sarawak government for supporting Chinese-medium education by contributing nearly RM6 million for the construction of the new buildings, Raziah for donating the site, and other generous donors who preferred to remain anonymous.

The school was relocated here from Marudi due to low student enrolment.

The Sarawak government contributed RM5.8 million to the building fund, which was also supported by generous donors.

The RM8.8 million project involves an L-shaped building for the administrative block and classrooms under the first phase, which was completed and open to around 100 pupils on July 9.