THE Education Ministry (MoE) wants a swift resolution to land and Occupancy Certificate (OC) issues to enable the repair and upgrading of dilapidated schools in Sabah.
Ministry's Secretary-General Datuk Ruji Ubi said these unresolved issues are major hurdles preventing the government from delivering funds and resources to improve school infrastructure in rural areas.
“At SMK Merotai, Form Six students are studying in a severely dilapidated building. We need to act fast … but land and OC matters must be resolved first,” he said during a visit to the school in Tawau.
Ruji stressed that quick action is crucial to expedite development projects, particularly in Sabah, where over 40 schools have been identified for upgrades under a national plan targeting 122 dilapidated schools.
“These projects are ready to start, but the land and OC issues must be addressed immediately to move forward,” he said.
The issue of undocumented federal facilities, such as schools and clinics, has been long-standing in Sabah. Many have operated for decades without proper land titles, delaying essential upgrades and new constructions.
Previously, Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib has repeatedly urged authorities to tackle these administrative obstacles.
Recently, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor also directed that projects proceed without waiting for titles, provided the land is gazetted for the intended use.
It was reliably learnt that these schools were built without undergoing land application and Occupancy titles application in the past.
Ruji’s visit to Tawau also included observing the 2025 Early School Assistance Programme, where he distributed RM150 in aid to students at SMK Merotai Besar.
Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Mohamad Suryady Bandy and Merotai assemblyman Sarifuddin Hata were present at the event. - January 17, 2025
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