Kuching: The State Government should provide new vans/buses as school buses instead of engaging operators of school buses which exceeds 30 years of use.
In the recent expose, out of the 11 free school bus engaged by the State Government 4 are more than 30 years of use, with one bus even aged 37 year old.
It is the regulation that buses and vehicles for public use must not be more than 30 years old, the reason being buses/vans more than 30 years of use are considered unsafe for public use, what more to say, to ferry children daily.
When the Premier, Abang Jo, in January, 2026 sat together with the Deputy Premier Sim Kui Hien, in one of these school buses posturing as a driver in the launch of the program, did he know that most of these school buses do not have permits from LPKP and that 4 out of the 11 have exceeded the 30-year-old limit and considered unsafe for the children?
In fact, the State Government can provide a grant of RM20,000 to each of these drivers as deposit payment to purchaser new buses/vans with the remaining amount to be financed with hire-purchase facilities. For the 4 operators, that will amount to RM80,000, which is pittance to the State Government. Furthermore, with the State Government having the controlling share in Affin Bank, there will be no question that these operators will not be able to get their hire purchase facility approved.
It is ironic that the State Government is willing to spend more than RM200 million to purchase one private jet for its own comfort and luxury but NOT willing to spent RM80,000 for the free school buses for these school students.
I therefore, call upon Abang Jo to provide the necessary grant to these operators so that the safety of the children will not be compromised.
Chong Chieng Jen
DAP Sarawak Chairman
Stampin MP
15 June 2026
