KUCHING: The federal Cabinet has decided to accept Sarawak’s repayment of a RM1 billion loan debt to repair dilapidated schools in Sarawak.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik disclosed the decision in a Facebook posting yesterday following a meeting with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg on Tuesday.
Abang Johari had made the offer in July last year after the federal government announced that repairs to dilapidated schools in the state had to be put on hold as it did not have the money.
Back in July 25, 2018 he had made the offer at the state-level Teachers Day celebration in Kuching.
He had suggested that Putrajaya use state funds first on condition the loan was repaid.
“We cannot wait for too long and if they cannot afford, I am willing to lend them RM1 billion to develop these dilapidated schools. This is not politics, this is about the needs of our children,” Abang Johari had stressed.
Yesterday in his FB posting Dr Maszlee thanked the Chief Minister for the loan.
