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Baru: RM1 billion not enough for dilapidated schools in <b>Sabah</b> <b>...</b> Berita Sabah - News 2 Sabah

Baru: RM1 billion not enough for dilapidated schools in <b>Sabah</b> <b>...</b>

Posted: 19 Feb 2014 11:27 AM PST

KUCHING: The amount of RM1 billion allocated for the improvement of about 600 dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak will not be sufficient.

This is because, says Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, in Sarawak alone there are around 800 of such schools.

"However, some questions arise. Why is that the figures from the federal government and the Sarawak Education Department do not tally? The federal government's figures suggest that there are fewer of such schools in Sarawak than what is disclosed by our Education Department," the state PKR chairman said in a press conference here yesterday.

When announcing the allocation last Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said most of the dilapidated schools, numbering about 600, were located in Sabah and Sarawak.

However, it was reported in newspapers yesterday that there are some 800 dilapidated schools in Sarawak, with Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah quoted as saying that these schools were unfit for occupancy but continued to be used as the students and teachers had no choice.

Baru said the Education Ministry should accept the results of the audit done by the Education Department and allocate more funds to the schools as necessary.

He also said the revelation on the number of dilapidated schools in Sarawak and Sabah is a damning indictment of the extent of the federal government's neglect of the needs of both states while treating both states as its fixed deposit.

"It is stated in the Education Blueprint that by Dec 2013, all 1,608 schools requiring critical repairs would be fixed and that these repairs would start in Sabah and Sarawak. Are the 600 dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak part of the 1,608 schools requiring critical repairs?

"Common sense would suggest that they should. Assuming that they belong to that category of schools needing critical repair, does this mean that the Education Ministry has failed to achieve its target of completing all repairs by Dec 2013?"

Baru stated that the state PKR would also like to know how the RM1 billion is to be utilised and how the allocation will be made, adding that priority should be given to rural schools as rural students are at a huge disadvantage compared to those in the cities.

"The younger generation in the rural areas deserve the opportunity to learn and better themselves through education and to have that it is important to provide schools that are conducive to the process of education, not the dilapidated and collapsing buildings that many have to contend with now."

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RM2.2 mln grants to 18 <b>Sabah</b> NGOs - The Borneo Post Online

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 06:24 PM PST

by Jenne Lajiun. Posted on February 15, 2014, Saturday

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Council of Social Services has allocated RM2.2 million in grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for their services and to conduct their welfare activities.

Community Development and Consumer Affairs minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said during the presentation ceremony of the grants to 18 selected NGOs at the council's office yesterday that the amount was an increase as only RM1.9 million was allocated last year.

She added that the total amount allocated for the 18 selected NGOs was RM1.609 million.

The recipients of the grants were the Malaysia Red Crescent Society which received RM120,000 and the Sabah branch Malaysia Diabetic Association which received RM67,000.

Other recipients were the Society for the Sabah Heart Fund (RM300,000), Sabah Kidney Association (RM180,000), Sabah Family Planning Association (RM40,000), Sabah Deaf Association (RM180,000), Sabah Action Women Organisation (RM32,000), Sabah Taska Services Association (RM21,000), Sabah Anti- Tuberculosis Association (RM25,000), MaLRA Sabah Branch (RM35,000), Sabah Volunteers Association (RM15,000), Child Association (RM24,000), Sabah Mental Health Association (RM65,000), Sabah Retirees Association (RM10,000), Sabah Senior Citizens Association Council (RM100,000), Sabah Blind Association (RM70,000), Sabah Charity Home Association (RM320,000) and Sabah Agape Counseling Association (RM5,000).

ends.

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<b>Sabah</b> batik designers challenged to come up with creations that <b>...</b>

Posted: 06 Feb 2014 04:33 PM PST

by Sandra Sokial. Posted on February 7, 2014, Friday

KOTA KINABALU: Young batik designers in Sabah have been challenged to come up with new creations that would reflect the state's identity.

The creations should be unique and able to attract new tourists to come to Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said when posing the challenge at the closing of Yayasan Sabah Group's Membatik Course and presentation of awards to young batik designers.

Noting that the trainees had learned and mastered the art of making batik, Musa said, "While your learning session has ended, it is just the beginning for you, and your challenge now is to come up with new designs that reflect Sabah's culture and identity. We want it to be so good that it would lure tourists, both repeat and new ones, to come to our state to find these designs," he said.

The Chief Minister stressed that Sabahans have the potential to produce quality batiks if they have the right attitude, interest and determination to do so.

He expressed his confidence that with the level of creativity and innovations among Sabahans, it would ensure that their works are good and competitive not only in the local market, but also internationally.

"Apart from offering job opportunities, the handicraft industry also contributes towards the nation and state's economy, besides encouraging more Bumiputeras to take up the chances available," he said.

Batik is a method of producing designs on fabric by using a wax resist. Once the fabric is painted with wax, it is placed in a dye bath where the areas under the wax will remain undyed.

The batik masters can produce complex design by layering colors and using cracks in the painted wax to produce fine lines of detail.

At the event, Musa also encouraged corporate bodies and relevant authorities to conduct research and development works on the field.

"I welcome the move by Sabah Handicraft Centre to work closely with Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation and SIRIM Bhd in developing new products, and in R&D.

"As such I would like to call on all agencies and corporate bodies to develop strategic cooperation to share their views and expertise for the good and development of the local handicrafts," said Musa.

The event saw 33 trainees receiving their certificates after completing the 18-month Membatik Course.

Hazera Sabin stole the limelight after emerging top in the best young batik designers award, followed by Norzilah Jahan and Azmie Utoh @ Ismail, at second and third placings, respectively.

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