THE construction of a new school in Sibujaya has long been awaited by residents.
They were overjoyed to hear Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz’s speech when tabling Budget 2023 that RM430mil had been approved for the construction of five new schools, with SMK Dudong in Sibujaya among them.
The others are SMK Nabalu in Sabah; SK Paya Dusun in Terengganu as well as SK Cyberjaya 2 and SMK Denai Alam, both in Selangor.
“I was surprised and happy to hear that SMK Dudong would be constructed.
“This is very good news for parents and students, especially longhouse folk around Sibujaya,” said SUPP Dudong chief Wong Ching Yong at a press conference.
Wong said the population of Sibujaya had been increasing and currently stood at between 35,000 and 40,000.
“I hope construction work can begin next year,” said Wong, who is also Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman.
He recalled that in 2010, then Dudong assemblyman Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck had submitted a proposal to the Federal Government to build SK Dudong and SMK Dudong.“Together with a group of Sibu community leaders, we met Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, 2020.
“On October 28, 2020, while Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was having a meeting in Sibu, I together with Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian forwarded all the relevant documents to him and he agreed to help,” Wong said.
There are three schools in Sibujaya — SK Sibu Jaya, SJK (C) Thian Hua and SMK Sibu Jaya.
Wong added that SMK Sibu Jaya and SK Sibu Jaya had been facing a shortage of classrooms and students were forced to do their lessons in corridors while science labs had to be converted into classrooms. — By ANDY CHUA
