THE Sarawak Development Bank (DBOS) will finance about RM1 billion worth of school upgrading work in the state , said Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

He said the decision to use the DBOS fund was reached during a coordination meeting on rehabilitation of aging schools in Sarawak, with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a hotel in Sibu last night.

“Sarawak emphasises digital economy training for our children. I was with the deputy prime minister in Sibu last night and I briefed him that we need schools equipped with fast Internet speed.

“So, last night, we agreed that if the federal government did not have sufficient funds yet, Sarawak could initiate the works using our funds first.

“We want all our schools including in the interior equipped with Internet; we estimate that about one billion ringgit would be needed for that purpose,” he said.

He said this while launching the Kenyalang Digital Programme at Penview Convention Centre in Kuching today.

Abang Johari said the federal government would still have to repay the state government for the expenditure. – Bernama, September 14, 2017.