KUCHING: DAP's Stampin member of parliament Chong Chieng Jen has urged the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (Sesco) to waive the RM57,000 upgrading charges imposed on SMK Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Gapor (SMK DPHA Gapor) here.
He said he had allocated RM400,000 for the upgrading works of the school since last year.
"All upgrading works including the replacement of windows, other structural upgrading and repair works, installation of air-conditioners and overall re-wiring of the hall have been completed," he said today (Tuesday) after meeting the school's Parent-Teacher's association (PIBG) representatives, led by chairman Shirley Penguang.
Chong, who is also state DAP chairman, said the only issue that was stopping the school students from enjoying the air-conditioned assembly hall was the charges imposed by Sesco.
He said Sesco, a retail arm of Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), had insisted that the school PIBG pay a sum of RM57,000 first before connecting the electricity supply to the school hall.
Chong said his assistant Michael Kong had written to Sesco seeking a waiver of the charge, but it was rejected.
"As a GLC fully-owned by the state government and charged with being the sole electricity supplier in the state, Sesco has a social duty to ensure that school students have a comfortable environment," he said.
He also said the upgrading works were meant for the comfort of the schoolchildren and to improve their study environment, and Sesco should see it as a corporate social responsibility to waive its charges.
"I will be writing again to Sesco next week to seek re-consideration and a waiver of the amount," he said, hoping that the company would give a favourable reply.