School project in Long Sukang, Sarawak abandoned

LONG SUKANG: An abandoned school project in the Bakelalan state constituency in interior northern Sarawak is causing difficulties for students from 12 settlements there.

The SK Long Sukang project, which started in 2009 and cost RM18mil, was abandoned shortly after construction began following infrastructure dangers due to soil erosion and soil movement.

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) deputy president Datuk Nelson Balang Rining visited the project site and said he was shocked to see the whole structure in very bad shape.

He said, villagers told him that the contractor who abandoned the project has not returned and there are no indications when the project can be revived.

Balang said he would contact the Education Ministry soonest to get the project resumed as the school serves hundreds of students who are now using temporary wooden classrooms.

SK Long Sukang is located about two and half hours by timber road from Lawas town, near the Sarawak border with Sabah.

"The Education Ministry is still investigating the problems that led to this vital school project being abandoned.

"There is no indication when the ministry will resume the project.

"But the villagers here want it to be resumed fast for the sake of the students," Balang said.

Balang is the SPDP branch chairman for Bakelalan, which is the most mountainous constituency in Sarawa and located close to the Kalimantan border.