TUPONG assemblyman, Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, is calling for greater attention to the welfare of sports school students in Sarawak, stressing that proper nutrition is essential in developing world-class athletes.
He said Sarawak currently has only one sports school, SMK Tabuan Jaya Sports School, whose students undergo intensive daily training and therefore require dietary support that differs from regular students.
“Good nutrition is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of athlete development. If we aim to produce athletes of international calibre, we cannot afford to cut costs in areas such as nutrition and recovery,” he said in his debate on the motion of appreciation for the address by Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
Fazzrudin expressed hope that the government would continue to prioritise the welfare of sports school students, including food provisions, sports science support, and psychological services.
“Sometimes, the talent of Sarawakian children is truly exceptional. What differentiates them is the level of support we provide,” he added.
On another note, he highlighted infrastructure maintenance issues in the Tupong constituency, particularly in long-established residential areas such as Taman Matang Jaya, Taman Malihah and Taman Heng Guan.
He said ageing facilities, including backlane drainage, access routes and lighting, require consistent upkeep to ensure the comfort and safety of residents, urging for increased annual allocations to local authorities.
Fazzrudin also raised concern over vandalism involving telecommunications infrastructure, describing it as a growing issue with significant impact on internet connectivity.
“In areas like Tupong, reliance on the internet continues to increase. Telecommunications infrastructure today is as important as roads and water supply,” he said.
He supported efforts to strengthen the protection of such assets and proposed greater community involvement, including structured programmes and possible incentives for local groups to help monitor and safeguard infrastructure.
Additionally, he suggested the introduction of a community-based approach, such as forming registered infrastructure protection teams or developing a dedicated complaint application with a structured response system.
On housing, Fazzrudin noted that while existing schemes support B40 and some M40 groups, many middle-income families remain caught in the “missing middle”, unable to afford homes priced above RM500,000 despite not qualifying for lower-cost housing.
He proposed that the government explore gap-financing mechanisms, including low-interest or deferred loans, to help eligible buyers bridge the affordability gap without fully subsidising housing costs.
He also commended the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government for its efforts in safeguarding the state’s rights and advancing development, citing progress related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and growing state revenue.
Fazzrudin stressed that political stability and policy continuity are crucial for Sarawak’s long-term development under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“Economic transformation requires continuity, stability and leadership with a clear direction. This is what will ensure Sarawak continues on its current growth trajectory,” he said, while highligting the importance of unity in sustaining development momentum.
