Bintulu: The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) has handed over two new school projects here worth more than RM100 million to the Ministry of Education (MOE) to meet the growing demand for educational facilities in rapidly developing areas in Bintulu.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the projects handed over were Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Samalaju, valued at RM57.62 million, and Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Orang Kaya Mohammad Bintulu, worth RM42.74 million.

SMK Samalaju, built by Empayar Setia Sdn Bhd, is equipped with 36 classrooms, 24 units of teachers' quarters, and two hostel blocks, as well as various supporting facilities to meet current educational needs. The construction of this school is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of the Samalaju community, which is growing as a key economic and industrial hub in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, SK Orang Kaya Mohammad Bintulu, built by EPR (Kuching) Sdn Bhd, was developed on a new site with modern and more comprehensive facilities to enhance comfort and quality of learning. Established in 1912, the school is now operating in a new building that offers a more conducive learning environment for the community.

According to the statement, the successful completion of both projects reflects the close collaboration between the MOE, Sarawak JKR as the implementing agency, contractors, consultants, and relevant technical agencies, despite challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and rising construction material costs.