Penang: The construction project for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) (SJKT) Sungai Bakap, which has faced delays since 2015, is now projected to be fully completed in the fourth quarter of 2027. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that the project resumed following the Prime Minister's approval of a ceiling cost of RM12,667,367.59, with Yayasan Didik Negara appointed as the implementing agency.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the project encompasses the construction of a full replacement block of the school building, featuring six classrooms, a general office, special rooms, and other essential facilities on land owned by the Federal Land Commissioner. The tender advertisement for the project was issued on June 14, 2026, and the Letter of Acceptance (SST) is expected to be issued in the third week of August 2026.
Fadhlina elaborated on the reasons behind the project's delay, citing issues related to implementation, financial constraints, and legal disputes since 2015. Although the School Governing Board received a one-off special allocation of RM3.5 million from the federal government in 2015, the project failed to meet the completion deadline, resulting in financial liability claims and subsequent court proceedings, including against the Ministry of Education (MOE). However, the Sessions Court dismissed the case against the MOE in May 2026.
Additionally, Fadhlina mentioned that the MOE is ready to review the Guidelines for Changing School Locations to address issues of schools with fewer students, particularly in SJKTs. The ministry is open to reassessing existing criteria to ensure educational priorities are fairly allocated across all school types, emphasizing the need for engagement sessions with the community to facilitate successful school relocations aligned with local demographic needs.
In response to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Anna Bell @ Suzieana Perian regarding abandoned schools in Sabah, such as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Langkon in Kota Marudu and Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah in Kota Kinabalu, Fadhlina stated that a written answer would be provided due to the need for specific details. She assured that her ministry remains committed to addressing school infrastructure issues in the state.