Wong (centre) says he will also seek allocation for the construction of SK Dudong, which the Federal Government has yet to approve.
WORK on the proposed construction of SMK Dudong should start immediately due to an increase in Sibujaya’s population.
SUPP Dudong chief Wong Ching Yong, who has been championing the project, is relieved that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had included the school project under Budget 2023.
“I am happy to see that the allocation for the construction of SMK Dudong has been retained under Budget 2023, but it is disappointing that there is a lack of allocation for Chinese independent schools,” Wong said at a press conference.
The construction of SMK Dudong was part of the previous government’s budget tabled in October last year.
“I hope the project can start soon, to resolve the problem of the growing number of students in Sibujaya,” he said.
Wong said SMK Dudong, to be located about 3km from Sibujaya, would cover an area of more than eight hectares.
The project was initiated in 2010 when Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck served as Dudong assemblyman.
Unfortunately, it was rejected under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plan.
After becoming the Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman in 2019, Wong restarted the effort to build the school and succeeded with the assistance of SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, then deputy Education minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Wong said he would follow up on the progress of the school’s construction until its completion and would also seek allocation for the construction of SK Dudong, which the Federal Government has yet to approve.
He also urged Lanang MP Alice Lau and Sibu MP Oscar Ling to state their stand on funding for Chinese independent schools as well as the recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
He added that the Sarawak government had been allocating funds to Chinese independent schools since 2014.
