RM5 billion for tower, but no toilets in rural schools
By FMT Staff
KUALA LUMPUR: Private toilets for girls over 12 years of age are hard to come by in rural Cambodian schools. It seems an almost acceptable excuse in a country struggling with a wartorn history and a gross domestic product of US$10.8 billion in 2009. But what’s Malaysia’s excuse?
How much does it cost to fit schools in rural areas and in the interiors of Sabah and Sarawak with electricity and water?
How much does it cost to build basic toilets for these schoolchildren, who will eventually contribute to the national economy?
Will it cost more than the RM5 billion Warisan Merdeka tower or the RM12.59 billion set aside for Idris Jala’s portfolio of “transformation and KPI” activities? Will it cost more than the RM111 million set aside for the Permata programme?
Of course these are trivial comparisons that weren’t raised in Parliament today.
Basic infrastructure
But what did come up, however, was an ultimatum from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to equip all schools with the basic infrastructure within a year.
Anwar said it was pointless for Muhyiddin to champion Malay and Bumiputera rights and issues if he cannot resolve simple matters such as toilets and water supply to schools.
“Based on the explanation heard here, we can be assured that the target (schools) is clear.
“The government has one year to equip needy schools in the rural areas and in the interiors with electricty, water and basic facilities such as toilets.
“This aside, the government should also ensure that other basic essentials complementing these facilities are also fulfilled,” he said.
