GUA MUSANG: The Education Ministry will terminate the contracts for 45 projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan which have not been completed on time, its deputy minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.

He said that of the projects, 21 were school buildings while the rest were quarters, hostels, canteens and various types of buildings.

They were offered in 2006 and scheduled for completion last year, he added.

"The government has to take stern action despite appeals from some of the contractors, to ensure that these projects can proceed," he said, adding that white knight contractors would be appointed to take over the projects.

Puad said the government was concerned that if it entertained the appeals, the projects would be further delayed.

"In Gua Musang and Jeli, there are secondary school projects which have not completed on schedule and this has affected the delivery of the government's promise to the people," he told reporters after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Balar hear here on Feb 8.

Meanwhile, Puad said the ministry would discuss the request of the Orang Asli community that a secondary school be built in Kampung Kuala Betis.

He said the ministry was looking into proposing the school as one of the

projects under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

"We are happy that the Orang Asli community are now aware of the need to send their children to school," he said. -- Bernama
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