New MARA College in Kapit to narrow urban-rural education gap
KAPIT: The construction of a new MARA Professional College (KPM) campus in Kapit, Sarawak is a major step towards bridging the educational gap between urban and rural areas, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony of the Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the project at Dewan Suarah Kapit here today, Nanta said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that Kapit is not left behind in national development, particularly in terms of access to quality education.
'This SST handover is more than just a symbolic gesture. It demonstrates our firm resolve to bring equitable and high-quality education to rural communities,' he said.
Nanta, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kapit, said the RM79 million project will benefit school leavers in the area by providing more opportunities for higher education and helping to develop a skilled, competitive workforce.
Wangi Marine Services Sdn Bhd has been appointed as the main contractor for the project. Nanta stressed that there will be no compromise on quality, safety, or project timelines.
'I have instructed that no extension of time (EOT) will be approved. Instead, the project should aim to be completed ahead of schedule (AOT),' he said, adding that the responsibility lies with all parties involved to ensure the project's success.
The new campus is expected to accommodate up to 300 students and will offer diploma programmes such as Business Studies, Plantation Management, and Information Technology.
'MARA has also indicated that additional diploma courses may be introduced based on local demand.
'An added advantage is that students will only need to pay a registration fee, with no tuition fees thereafter. This means parents won't have to apply for PTPTN loans. On top of that, students will receive a monthly allowance of RM300 — a much-needed support for rural families in Kapit,' he said.
Nanta added that the project aligns with the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), which aims to create 1.6 million job opportunities by 2030 and supports Sarawak's vision of becoming a high-income state.
'This initiative is in line with the MADANI government's emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and the people's well-being,' he said.
He also reminded the contractor to carry out the work with integrity and full adherence to safety standards, with a 'zero accident' target at the construction site.
The campus, located along Jalan Song-Kapit about 15km from town, is scheduled for completion by December 5, 2029.
The event was also attended by representatives from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), and the Public Works Department (JKR) which is the implementing agency for the project.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BusinessToday
32 minutes ago
- BusinessToday
Malaysians Need To Earn Average RM4000 To Introduce GST, Says Anwar
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the reintroduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) remains unsuitable for now, citing the rakyat's low income threshold as a key concern. Speaking during the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly, Anwar explained that although GST is recognised as an efficient and transparent taxation mechanism, it imposes a comprehensive financial burden — particularly on low-income earners. 'We postponed (GST) because the income of the people was still too low. My opinion at the time was that people with an income of RM2,000 were still affected although we gave some exemptions,' he said. He highlighted how even though basic necessities such as sugar and rice may be exempt, GST still applies indirectly when people purchase other goods or use public transport. 'It is comprehensive,' he noted. The government, according to Anwar, would only revisit GST implementation when the average household income reaches a more reasonable level — at least RM4,000 a month. 'Let the people's income increase first… maybe at that time we can (implement it). Right now, there are people earning RM1,700 or RM2,000,' he said. For now, the government is focused on a more targeted Sales and Service Tax (SST) system. He said tax revenue collected through SST will be channelled into core public sectors such as education and healthcare. 'The allocation for the Ministry of Education from RM58 billion in 2024 has increased to RM64 billion this year. Similarly, for the Ministry of Health, RM41 billion last year… we are adding RM4 billion to make it RM45 billion,' Anwar said. GST was introduced on Apr 1, 2015, with a standard rate of 6%, but was later repealed on Sept 1, 2018, following widespread criticism over its impact on consumers, particularly those from lower income brackets. It was replaced with the SST system. On 9 June, the government announced a targeted review of the Sales Tax rate and an expanded scope for the Service Tax, effective 1 July, aimed at strengthening Malaysia's fiscal position by increasing revenue while protecting essential goods from new taxes. Stressing the importance of macroeconomic balance, Anwar also acknowledged a gap in policy communication. He urged government members to better explain ongoing fisc Related
Malaysiakini
32 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
GST vs SST: Is one better than the other?
KINIGUIDE | There is an ongoing national conversation in Malaysia about consumption taxes, balancing the legacy of the goods and services tax (GST) with the phased return and expansion of the sales and services tax (SST). Let's scrutinise both tax systems. What is GST? Enacted under the Goods and Services Tax Act 2014, Malaysia implemented GST ( six percent) from April 1, 2015, levied at each supply-chain stage. Basic goods like fresh food, water, and electricity remained zero-rated, while some services - education and healthcare, for example, were GST-exempt. Businesses could claim input tax refunds, avoiding tax-on-tax. A year before it was...
Malaysiakini
3 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
GST vs SST: Is one better than the other?
KINIGUIDE | There is an ongoing national conversation in Malaysia about consumption taxes, balancing the legacy of the goods and services tax (GST) with the phased return and expansion of the sales and services tax (SST). Let's scrutinise both tax systems. What is GST? Enacted under the Goods and Services Tax Act 2014, Malaysia implemented GST ( six percent) from April 1, 2015, levied at each supply-chain stage. Basic goods like fresh food, water, and electricity remained zero-rated, while some services - education and healthcare, for example, were GST-exempt. Businesses could claim input tax refunds, avoiding tax-on-tax. A year before it was...
