Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai) said the allocations for these schools had not been explicitly stated in the national budgets tabled in the last three years.

Nor were such details provided by the government, he said.

“If funds had been allocated to these schools, why were no details provided?” he asked when debating the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

In the recently tabled 2026 budget, close to RM2 billion was set aside to upgrade 520 dilapidated schools in Sabah and Sarawak as well as to repair and maintain “all types of schools”.

The 2025 budget saw an allocation of RM2 billion set aside to upgrade and maintain all types of schools, including national schools, Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools and religious schools.

Under the 2024 budget, a total of RM1 billion was allocated for the maintenance of all types of schools such as national, religious, and vernacular schools.

Separately, Wee, who is also an MCA vice-president, welcomed the government’s move to increase police patrols in schools to boost safety, but proposed that army veterans be roped in to play a role.

“I suggest we bring in veterans to help instil discipline and motivate the students.

“Allow them to deliver lectures or motivational talks in the schools, like once a week,” he said.

On Oct 17, Bernama reported home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as saying that police would step up patrols and police presence in school areas to support the digital safety policies.

Saifuddin said this initiative was part of a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, and enforcement.