2009/10/07

KUCHING: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin pledged a ringgit-for-ringgit grant for the rebuilding of SMK Kuching High's new blocks.

Announcing the news at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Muhyiddin said although the grant of RM1.5 million for the rebuilding project was approved earlier this year, it was said that a total of RM6.4 million was needed to rebuild three blocks.

The school's administration block and junior science block were destroyed in a fire in December.

The fire also razed the library, science laboratories, administrative office, conference room, storage room and toilets.

The school has collected RM4.3 million but is short of RM2.1 million.

Muhyiddin said: "SMK Kuching High has produced more than 11,000 students with a strong command of English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese. Knowing how special this school is, the ministry will give an extra grant on a ringgit-to-ringgit basis.

"We know there are a lot of communities and organisations that can contribute to the funding, so for every ringgit they contribute, my ministry will do the same."

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said the state would contribute RM250,000 to the project.

Muhyiddin later spoke at the joint opening of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's 12 branches in the Kuching zone at the old state legislative assembly building.

He advised component parties in Barisan Nasional to remain united in facing challenges to get Malaysia its developed nation status.