Works Ministry allocates RM88mil to upgrade 121 overcrowded schools
SHAH ALAM: The Works Ministry will upgrade 121 overcrowded schools in six states to address the issue of overcrowded schools, involving an allocation of RM88mil.
Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said a total of 127 letters of acceptance were handed over to the successful contractors to implement the project in Selangor, Langkawi, Perak, Pahang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu and Penang.
ALSO READ: Over RM2bil for repairing and maintaining schools
"Selangor has the highest number with 111, followed by Perak (seven), Pahang (four), Negri Sembilan (three), and one each in Terengganu and Penang.
"The project involves 117 premier classrooms and 10 classrooms for the Integrated Special Education Program (PPKI) using the industrialised building system (IBS) concept," he told reporters at the Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) Headquarters here on Thursday (June 5).
Ahmad said the IBS concept speeds up the construction process and also ensures better and sustainable construction quality, with all projects targeted for completion by October.
"These projects are a step towards achieving the Education Ministry's goal of a single-session school system by 2030," he said.
Earlier, Ahmad handed over the appointment letters to 127 contractors for the project. They were selected through an open tender process from April 24 to May 16.
A total of 14 district engineers from the Public Works Department were also appointed to monitor the construction work of the projects concerned. – Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Ahmad Zahid: Sarawak on track for 5 mln tourist arrivals in 2025
Ahmad Zahid expresses his confidence in Sarawak, stating that the state's current performance has proven this. – File photo SARATOK (June 22): Sarawak is on track to achieve its target of five million tourist arrivals and generate RM12.73 billion in tourism revenue this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Ahmad Zahid expressed his confidence in Sarawak, stating that the state's current performance has proven this. 'In the first four months of this year alone, Sarawak received more than 1.6 million visitors, generating tourism revenue of RM4.07 billion. 'God willing, we are on the right track to achieve the target of five million tourist arrivals and RM12.73 billion in tourism revenue for 2025,' he said when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for Kampung Kupang-Jalan Bajau junction road project held at Rumah Rengan in Selambong here today. Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism and Culture (JKPK), said Sarawak has a rich culture, a variety of tourism products, and a unique heritage that can be the main driver for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM 2026) Campaign. 'We have set a target of 35.6 million international visitors with a potential economic return of RM147.1 billion in conjunction with TMM 2026. 'So, this is where the important role of all of us is to take advantage of our political stability and close relationships to attract more visitors to Sarawak. 'As the JKPK chairman, I do not want Sarawak to be left behind,' he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the 19.9-kilometre road project will create new connectivity for at least 5,000 residents in the surrounding areas, especially Kampung Kupang. The project was approved under the Ministry Rural and Regional Development's (KKDW) Rural Road Programme (JALB) at a cost of RM122.5 million with Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) as the implementing agency. Work began on Jan 14 this year and it is expected to be fully completed on Sept 14, 2027. The scope of the project is to upgrade the existing road to a paved road in accordance with JKR standards and includes the construction of five bridges. 'After this, it will be more convenient for residents in Rumah Rabiah, Rumah Ganing, Rumah Rengan, Rumah Lakon, Rumah Anau, SK Sungai Entebu, SK Nanga Abu, Rumah Bajau Baru and other areas to commute to Saratok town. 'In addition to a more comfortable and safer route, it will cut short their travel time to Saratok town up to one hour thus helping to stimulate the socio-economic development of Saratok and its surroundings, as well as creating new job opportunities and industries.' Ahmad Zahid urged the selected contractors to adhere strictly to the schedule and specifications. 'Regular monitoring by the Sarawak JKR is also very important to ensure that the progress and quality of the work is always under control. 'This is because the people today do not just want the existence of infrastructure. They want quality infrastructure that is completed on time and provides comprehensive benefits,' he said. In line with these developments, Ahmad Zahid encouraged local residents to participate in entrepreneurial activities. 'Infrastructural developments such as roads not only connect villages to towns, but also open up opportunities for local economic growth. 'Therefore, I would like the community in this area to take advantage of these facilities by venturing into entrepreneurship, whether in the modern agriculture, handicrafts, e-commerce or community tourism sectors. 'Under KKDW, we have many initiatives to assist entrepreneurs such as the Rural Entrepreneurship Strengthening Support Program (SPKLB), Income Enhancement Programme (PPP), Rural Economy Financing Scheme (SPED) including entrepreneurship programs operated by agencies under KKDW such as Mara, Risda, Felcra and others. 'All these initiatives aim to provide access to rural residents to participate in the entrepreneurial ecosystem as one of the main strategies to eradicate extreme poverty and continuously generate new job opportunities in rural areas. 'When there are facilities, there is support and there is enthusiasm, rural entrepreneurship can be a way out of poverty,' he said. ahmad zahid hamidi lead tourism revenye tourist arrivals
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Perak MB: No tremors detected during boom
IPOH: There was no indication of an earthquake or tremor when a loud boom was heard here a few days ago, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. He added that no seismic activity was detected in the state. Saarani called for the matter to be studied by relevant technical departments or geological experts, as current monitoring systems have not confirmed any earthquakes or ground tremors in Malaysia. 'We have yet to know what exactly is happening, but I hope the public does not panic. 'So far, there has been no detection of any earthquake or tremor,' he said. He acknowledged that strange vibrations were felt in Ipoh and surrounding areas, drawing comparisons to a similar unexplained incident in 2024. 'Last year, people in Taiping, Kuala Kangsar and even Ipoh experienced what they described as an explosion-like tremor. 'The phenomenon, which has yet to be scientifically explained, was also reportedly felt in Selangor earlier this year,' he said after closing the National Training Week 2025 yesterday. The loud bang, which occurred at around 10.30am on June 18, sparked concern among residents in Chemor, Chepor and Tanah Hitam. On a separate matter, Saarani said the state government is proposing a major upgrade of the East-West Highway under the 13th Malaysia Plan. He said he forwarded this proposal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during an event in Lumut last Sunday. 'I took the opportunity to raise this matter and conveyed our concerns about the highway. 'We understand the Prime Minister mentioned that the cost for the upgrade would be very high. But at least the state government has registered our views,' he said. Saarani added that discussions with the Public Works Department (JKR) on work to upgrade the highway is underway. 'Simply patching the road is no longer sufficient for the 40-year-old highway. 'The Federal Government, through JKR, should reassess the highway's alignment and consider a full reconstruction, not just resurfacing. 'This is because the highway structure is outdated. Also, the underground layer was exposed in some of the damaged areas of the highway. 'Mere road patching jobs will no longer suffice,' he said.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Hygiene woes swamp Gelang Patah
Pandak at the state assembly sitting raising his constituents' concerns about safety and cleanliness. LACK of cleanliness and the presence of foreign workers in shoplots in Gelang Patah can tarnish the area's image, says a Johor assemblyman. Speaking at the state assembly sitting, Datuk Pandak Ahmad (BN-Kota Iskandar) said quick action was needed to ensure the area remained clean, safe and comfortable for residents. 'Many of the three-storey shophouses near an industrial park in Tanjung Pelepas, Gelang Patah, have been turned into foreign workers' accommodation. 'The area could be labelled as a 'little Bangladesh town' due to the presence of these foreigners. 'Some of these foreigners are even operating sundry shops without valid licences,' Pandak said in his speech during the debate session of the state assembly meeting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar. He expressed hope that the Labour Department, Iskandar Puteri City Council and related agencies would address these issues because rubbish strewn in the back alleys of the shoplots had become a common sight. Separately, Tan Eng Meng (BN-Pekan Nanas) in his speech thanked the state government for not sidelining Pontian in development plans. He was glad that serious attention had been given to districts such as Pontian, where his state constituency is located, rather than just focusing on economic developments only in areas such as Iskandar Malaysia and Pengerang. 'One of the significant developments in Pontian is the Tropicana Industrial Park in Pekan Nanas, involving a major investment of RM2bil by Alton Industry Ltd Group. 'This development will create new job opportunities for locals and strengthen the industrial sector that forms the backbone of the district's economic development. 'In fact, the presence of this new facility, which functions as a research and development hub, marks a major leap for Pekan Nanas,' said Tan. Alton is a US-based global supplier of consumer and commercial tools, appliances and floor care. Tan pointed out that the project had opened up vast opportunities for local talents to develop their potential in the high-tech field, which was becoming increasingly vital.
