by Raymond Tan,
DARE OR NOT?: SMC deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng and Soon Koh (right) at the press conference to make the second challenge to Ho Leng.
SIBU: The proposed Sarawak Technology University, which is scheduled to welcome its first batch of students in September 2013, will grow to become one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
It will be built on a 90-acre piece of land next to Laila Taib College, said Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh yesterday.
He told a press conference at Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) that the contractor started clearing the land on Tuesday, but declined to reveal the name of the contractor.
“Either Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak or Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will perform the earth-breaking ceremony.
“I shall not reveal further now. I shall leave it to either Najib or Taib to reveal further during the earth-breaking ceremony.”
Wong opined that this international-class university would put Sibu on a high pedestal as it would be the only one in the country to have a technology research park.
“Research on innovative technology would be carried out here with entrepreneurs’ involvement.”
Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development and SUPP Sibu Branch chairman, said the main portion of the university would be completed by September next year while the rest would then follow suit.
“The model of the university is ready. We intend to admit about 800 students for the first intake next year.”
Wong pointed out that he purposely wanted to give the basic framework of the university now because he did not want the opposition to continue belittling Sibu.
He said whenever the BN government moved to promote higher education in Sibu, they (opposition) would be there to “pour cold water”.
He said this should not happen because it was the people who would suffer from these destructive efforts and negative comments in the end.
Wong said the dream for a technology university was born during the Sibu by-election in 2010 when Najib visited Laila Taib College.
“I asked him then that Laila Taib College be elevated to a university. Najib agreed.”
Wong said he followed up on the matter thereafter and discussed the proposal with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
“Mohd Khaled advised me to apply for a separate licence to set up the university instead since Laila Taib College was already doing so well.
“I feel this is better. Laila Taib College can be a feeder to the university as its diploma graduates can go on to study for a degree in the university.”
Wong again challenged, for the second time, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng that “if the first university intake occurs in September next year, Ho Leng must resign as Bukit Assek assemblyman and Sibu MP.
“As a responsible politician, I want him to resign from his post as the chairman of Sarawak DAP too, and, thereafter, he should not take part in elections both at the state and parliamentary levels.”
Wong, beaming with confidence in making the daring challenge, asked Ho Leng not to avoid it.
“I understand in the press conference this morning (yesterday), Ho Leng has put forward some questions for me to answer instead. Do not evade my challenge.”
Wong said he first put forward the challenge on Tuesday because he was fed up with the opposition’s accusations that BN’s proposals for higher education in Sibu was only an “election gimmick”.
“He has been discrediting our efforts. Ho Leng himself has mentioned so many times that education is a future investment. He accuses us for giving empty promises.
“If he paints such a negative image again, accept my challenge. He should be responsible this time for his destructive and negative statements.”
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