KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM4.3 million has been allocated this year for maintenance and repair works involving 115 KEMAS kindergartens (Tabika) and nurseries (Taska) across Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said that 20 new construction projects for Tabika and Taska have also been approved in Sarawak, covering various stages of implementation under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).
According to data from the National Preschool Information System (SMPK), there are 1,010 KEMAS Tabika and Taska premises in Sarawak, of which 189 operate in shared or temporary locations.
“To address this, a proposal paper on the gazettement of shared premises was presented during the Coordination Meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, and the State Rural Excos (MEXCLUB) held on June 26,” she said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS–Batang Lupar), who asked about efforts to upgrade or rebuild KEMAS kindergartens, particularly those operating in dilapidated buildings or shared spaces in Sarawak.
Rubiah said the meeting agreed that the state government should begin the process of gazetting or officially approving the use of such premises — whether land or buildings — under the Community Human Capital Development Programme (PPMIK).
“This process is crucial to enable maintenance and upgrading works to be carried out, ensuring a safer and more comfortable learning environment for children and educators,” she added.
