Photo: Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: The Mara Education Institute (IPMa) has received a RM50mil allocation for upgrading and maintenance works for the year 2023.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this funding is in line with the aim of ensuring that students and teachers get to study in a conducive environment.
It is also to ensure that IPMa continues to be the first choice for parents and students in searching for academic excellence, he said.
“I will try to get the Prime Minister, who is also the Finance Minister, to increase the amount next year,” he said.
The Rural and Regional Development Minister said this during a visit to MRSM Kota Kinabalu near here on Thursday (May 4).
Zahid said from this amount, a total of RM25mil was allocated for Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), RM17mil for the Mara Skills Institute (IKM) and Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara (KKTM), and RM8mil for the Mara college and Mara Professional College.
“For Sabah, RM2.347mil has been set aside for IPMa Sabah while RM250,000 has been allocated for MRSM Kota Kinabalu to repair piping, fire prevention system development and furniture refurbishment,” he said.
He attributed the establishment of MRSM Kota Kinabalu to former chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, adding that the institution is sometimes referred to as "MRSM Tan Sri Musa Aman Kota Kinabalu".
“We should not forget the contributions of past leaders,” said Zahid.
He said that the leaders of today would not be here if not for the works and contributions of past leaders.
Zahid hoped the funds would be used properly for the works it was intended for immediately.
He urged all to ensure that infrastructure and facilities as well as assets under Mara are cared for properly so that they would have maximum lifespan.
“We must have a good maintenance mentality among our staff and students,” Zahid added.
On other matters, he reminded all educators and Mara students to continue striving for excellence and to preserve quality so that the institution would continue to be among the top educational facilities in the country.
Earlier at the event, a total of 50 B40 students received some funding to lessen their burdens.
