Sarawak JKR Hands Over Over RM100 Million Education Projects: Two New School Campuses in Bintulu Now In Use

(Bintulu, 11th) The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR Sarawak) held a handover ceremony in Bintulu yesterday (June 10), officially transferring two large-scale educational infrastructure projects, valued at over RM100 million, to the Ministry of Education Malaysia.

The two projects—the newly completed SMK Sri Similajau and SK Orang Kaya Mohammad Bintulu—aim to strengthen educational infrastructure and provide students with a modern, comfortable, and more conducive learning environment.

Representing the Ministry of Education in receiving the projects was Masnah Abu Bakar, Senior Assistant Director of the Sarawak Education Department's Infrastructure & Procurement Unit (SIP).

The Sarawak Public Works Department was represented by Ir. Lau Sie Hung, Engineer of Bintulu Division, for the handover. The ceremony was witnessed by officials from the Bintulu Public Works Department, contractors, and members of the school communities.

According to a press statement from the Sarawak Public Works Department, the SMK Sri Similajau project, constructed by Empayar Setia Sdn Bhd, cost RM57,618,000 and includes 36 classrooms, 24 teachers' quarters, two student hostel blocks, and multiple ancillary facilities to meet the needs of current educational development.

The department stated that as Samalaju continues to develop into an important economic and industrial hub in Sarawak, the school is expected to become a key catalyst for local community development.

Meanwhile, the SK Orang Kaya Mohammad Bintulu project, built by EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd at a cost of RM42,743,000, has also been officially handed over.

Founded in 1912, SK Orang Kaya Mohammad has now relocated to entirely new premises, equipped with modern school facilities to provide both teachers and students with a more complete and comfortable teaching and learning environment.

According to Sarawak JKR, the upgraded school is expected to become one of the most modern and representative educational institutions in Sarawak.

The department noted that the successful completion of both projects was due to the close cooperation among the Ministry of Education, the Sarawak Public Works Department as the executing agency, contractors, consulting companies, and relevant technical agencies.

At the same time, all parties showed high commitment and cooperation in the face of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction material prices, ensuring timely project completion.

Sarawak JKR believes that the completion and handover of the two schools reflects the government's ongoing investment in human capital development, improving student welfare, and promoting educational progress in Sarawak.

With further upgrades in educational facilities and improved learning environments, the two schools will take on the important mission of nurturing a new generation of knowledgeable, competitive, and upstanding individuals.

SK Orang Kaya Mohammad Bintulu new campus. Photo source: Sarawak Public Works Department.