Beaufort schools cannot cope, says Ruslan
Published on: Saturday, May 03, 2025
Published on: Sat, May 03, 2025
By: Iskandar Dzulkifli Text Size: Ruslan (right) being briefed on the project during a site visit. BEAUFORT: The growing student population in Zone Padas Damit sparked calls for new secondary and primary schools to be built to ease congestion at existing institutions. Lumadan Assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam said Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Gadong and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Gadong are struggling to accommodate the rising number of students each year. 'With SMK Gadong and SK Gadong being the only nearby schools, parents have no choice but to send their children there. However, both are now overcrowded. 'Therefore, we propose the construction of new secondary and primary schools in Zone Padas Damit to meet the schooling needs of students in the area while also reducing congestion at SMK Gadong and SK Gadong,' he said. He said this during a site visit for the proposed school construction, accompanied by the Beaufort District Education Officer (PPD), Gani Senang, and the Beaufort District Engineer from the Lands and Surveys Department (JTU). Ruslan, who is also the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said a 285-acre village reserve in Kampung Lalangut had been identified for the project, with 50 acres allocated for a secondary school and 17 acres for a primary school. 'We propose allocating five acres for the establishment of a Fire and Rescue Station to cater to emergency needs in all villages within this zone. 'This is a Federal project, so it will take time, but I will push for it to be realised within five years,' he said. Ruslan also urged the Education Ministry (KPM) and Sabah Education Department (JPNS) to find a solution to the frequent flooding at SK Suasa and SK Lago. He said the situation disrupts school sessions every time floods occur, requiring drastic action, including a proposal to relocate both schools to a new site. 'Another option is to build a larger school on a 10-acre flood-free village reserve nearby to accommodate more students,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
US visa issue: Malaysian students at Harvard can continue their studies for now
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: For illustrative purposes only. PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian students attending Harvard University can continue their studies without being interrupted by their visa status for now, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said. This follows the latest development on the visa issue, with a United States (US) federal court judge ruling to grant a temporary restraining order (TRO) after an application was filed by Harvard, providing relief to over 6,800 international students there. Advertisement The ministry said in a statement today that it was monitoring the developments of this issue closely through Education Malaysia Washington D.C. (EMWDC). 'The decision enables international students, including Malaysian students, to continue studying without interruption for the time being. 'The ministry and EMWDC have also reached out to related sponsors and US education officials. The ministry welcomes their commitment to work together to ensure the wellbeing of our students,' the ministry said. The MOHE also reminded students to update their optional practical training information and to be careful in all action involving immigration matters. Advertisement 'For now, no Malaysian student has been reported to have encountered any problems or issues with their records with the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVIS) and any withdrawal of their visas,' the ministry said. It also recommended new students for Harvard's September 2025 intake to deal directly with the university and their sponsors to obtain the latest developments before making any further decisions. The ministry reiterated Malaysia's belief that cross-border higher education was an important platform to global talent development, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships between countries. The ministry urged all parties to remain calm, act based on verified information, and to prioritse students' welfare when dealing with the issue and would continue to support Malaysian students abroad regardless of the situation in line with the Malaysia MADANI concept. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
PM instructs police to look into travel ban on Fahmi Reza
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ( pic ) has instructed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to look into the travel ban imposed on activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza. The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement today that the MADANI government upholds individual freedom as long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws, Advertisement "As such, the police must provide further clarification regarding this matter. "The Prime Minister's Office will continue to monitor the situation accordingly,' it added. The media yesterday reported that Fahmi was banned from travelling abroad after a similar ban was also imposed on him in Sabah last week. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
Trump warns Musk against supporting Democrats
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Trump (right) and Musk at the Oval Office. - Filepic by Reuters WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump warned tech billionaire Elon Musk of "very serious consequences" if he were to support Democrats in the future following their public falling-out, German news agency (dpa) reported. "He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that," Trump told NBC News in a phone interview set to air on Sunday. Advertisement However Trump declined to share what those consequences might be should Musk support Democratic candidates to harm Republicans who voted for the president's tax and budget bill. The budget bill this week triggered the public dispute between Musk, the world's richest man, and Trump, the world's most powerful one. Musk is demanding far greater spending cuts and called the bill "a disgusting abomination". Trump refers to it as the "big beautiful bill". Since Thursday, Musk and Trump have been engaged in an open mudslinging match after months of unusually close cooperation. Trump does not want to reconcile with Musk. Advertisement In the NBC interview, Trump was asked whether he believed his relationship with Musk, who owns the social media platform X, the electric car company Tesla, and the space voyage firm SpaceX, was over. "I would assume so, yeah," Trump said. He also reiterated that he was not interested in reconciling with Musk, saying he was too busy with other matters. "I have no intention of speaking to him." On Thursday, the brewing feud between the two powerful men exploded with Trump calling Musk "crazy" and Musk claiming that if it weren't for him, Trump would have lost the presidential election last year. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
