KPM Monitors Education Infrastructure in Lawas, Sarawak, Committed to Ensuring Best Access for All Students

LAWAS, SARAWAK, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s Education Ministry Inspects Sarawak Schools After Floods, Fires, Pledging Urgent Upgrades

The Ministry of Education (KPM) has launched an on-site inspection of education infrastructure in Lawas, Sarawak, following reports of unsafe conditions at several schools, including those damaged by recent floods and a past fire, with Deputy Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim leading the assessment today.

The visit shows KPM’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to quality education, particularly in remote districts where natural disasters and aging facilities pose risks. The ministry has already outlined immediate and long-term measures, including temporary classrooms and structural upgrades, to mitigate disruptions for students.

During the inspection, Wan Hashim reviewed four key locations: the Lawas District Education Office, Lawas Secondary School (SMK Lawas), Long Sukang Primary School (SK Long Sukang), and Siang-Siang Primary School (SK Siang-Siang). SMK Lawas, which suffered a fire earlier, is undergoing reconstruction with new classroom blocks currently under development.

SK Long Sukang was declared unsafe by the Public Works Department (JKR), prompting KPM to deploy temporary cabins as a short-term solution while long-term repairs are planned. Meanwhile, SK Siang-Siang—hit by last week’s floods—will undergo renovations to restore its functionality.

The ministry’s intervention follows a broader pattern of emergency responses to infrastructure failures, with KPM emphasizing that such measures are part of its ongoing efforts to deliver "the best possible educational access" for all students, regardless of geographic or economic barriers. Contact details for further inquiries include the ministry’s hotline at 03-8000 8000 or email 80008000@mygcc.gov.my.

For Malaysia, the inspection reflects growing concerns over rural school safety, particularly in disaster-prone areas like Lawas, where climate-related incidents increasingly threaten educational continuity. The ministry’s rapid deployment of resources—including temporary facilities and reconstruction projects—sets a precedent for how it will prioritize at-risk schools nationwide. Next steps will include formal approvals for the temporary cabins at SK Long Sukang and the completion timeline for SMK Lawas’s rebuilding, with updates expected as construction progresses.

Related: Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim · Lawas, Sarawak