“The ministry talks the talk but did not disburse funds to repair schools in Sarawak,” he told the Borneo Post today, adding that teachers were having to make do.

“Education is very important and that is why I am a bit miffed with Putrajaya about this. They should walk the talk,” he said after closing a youth leadership camp at SMK Gedong in Kuching.

Abang Johari said it had got to the point where Sarawak would have to start funding repairs from its own coffers.

“I have asked for details and the cost from the education department, but until today, they have not given me what I asked for,” he said.

In May, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the education and finance ministries to ensure that no “bureaucratic interference” will affect efforts to repair dilapidated schools in the country.

He said he has instructed the two ministries to fast-track rebuilding works on these schools, and he did not want any administrative hassles to obstruct the government’s initiative.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, asked why some students were still studying without basic facilities like toilets when Malaysia had experienced impressive economic growth.