Quality education for Sarawakians — The way forward
by Sidi Munan · Borneo Post OnlineON Nov 17, 2024, thesundaypost quoted YB Johnny Pang as having proposed that a university and an international school should be built in Bintulu.
The Tanjung Batu assemblyman was participating in the debate on the Supply Bill 2024.
The topic interests me tremendously. There has been no official reaction to that proposal via the print or the social media that I have read, so I would like to mention it in this column for public discussion.
Many people do not treat the views of legislators with the seriousness that they deserve, treating them as mere political rhetoric.
I don’t think so.
I scrutinise all public statements, and at times criticise them constructively, but I always respect a legislator who can come up with fresh ideas.
I may disagree with a YB (elected representative) in terms of beliefs or ideology, but I will not be uncourteous.
Quality education is so crucial for the young Sarawakians; that’s why I am quoting what our reporter had reported.
With reference to the proposal regarding an international school for Bintulu, here’s the gist of it.
The international school system set up in Sarawak aims, among other objectives, at the pupils from many local families that are categorised as B40 (bottom low-income 40 per cent of the population).
However, it is not exclusive to them; in other words, students from other families such as those of expatriates or foreigners would also be welcomed.
Incidentally, talking about international schools for Sarawak, do not forget about the people who had conceived the idea.
I would mention the role of Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, former state minister for education and the Sarawak Initiatives (SI).
With reference to the proposal of building a university in Bintulu, I’d say it is a good idea, not only because of the need for higher education as such for our young people.
Apparently, the announcement about free university for Sarawak, bandied about recently, miffed the good folks of Bintulu just a little.
If Kuching has universities, why can’t Bintulu?
The Sibuans have one, Mirians have one, and so on.
It is good that people are talking about this subject.
One international school for good measure for Bintulu too – why not – to cater for the students from the district and also with children of school age of the foreigners.
The parents would love to be near their children; fun to watch their children studying down the road or the river.
Parents, especially mothers, are like that.
My mother objected to my going to New Zealand for further studies because we had no relatives there; she was seriously worried that nobody would give me food (oh, and how I remember the roast lamb dinners in NZ!).
In case of illness, nobody would visit me or bring the ‘ubat’ (medicine) that she would normally prescribe for me.
Siting of a university can be important and it must not necessarily be built in Bintulu.
A campus of another existing university for specific courses or faculties would do, I think.
Anyway, my reference to this subject is in respect of the lack or absence of a reaction, either positive or negative, from the Ministry for Higher Education or the federal government itself.
The view of any elected representative state (State Assembly or Parliament) of the people should be accorded some importance, or at least studied.
A lot of water has flowed under the Kemena Bridge, yet there appears to be lack of interest on the part of the relevant educational authorities in this important suggestion.
I understand how YB Johnny would feel about his suggestion being ignored.
In the eyes of his supporters, he is not being effective as a lawmaker; nobody listens to him.
I think his proposal relating to an important subject like education should have been treated with due respect as a matter of courtesy.
YB Johnny should have followed up the matter with the MP for the area urging him to bring up the matter in Parliament.
Bark at another tree, so to speak, or write to the Ministry of Education directly.
No reply, report to the ombudsman!
This is the sort of problem that the ombudsman should be interested in, and looking into, irrespective of the political affiliation of the legislator.
Yes, there should be an international school in Bintulu; I agree if it is associated with the university.
The international school was partly designed to cater for the needs of the children from B40 families.
There may be many children in Bintulu who are from families categorised by the government as B40.
However, these schools are not confined to the children of the B40 families.
The oil and gas town has developed from a famous producer of ‘belacan’ (shrimp paste patty) to a town with a port and other facilities, especially after the creation of the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) planning and implementing development projects without waiting for greenlight from Kuching or Kuala Lumpur.
Come to think of it, this is exactly the kind of project the BDA could, and should, promote!
Build the best for Bintulu!