LAWAS, Feb. 22 -- Sarawak's Northern Region Development Authority (NRDA) will channel funds to repair 56 dilapidated schools in the area, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said today.

He said tenders for repair works on these schools will be called soon.

"We can't wait for funds to come from the central government, even though we have made early repayment amounting to RM700 million of our loans owed to the federal government," he said at the launch of the Agriculture Transformation and Entrepreneurship Exhibition here.

He said Sarawak has the financial resources not because it is rich, but because the state government manages its finances in accordance with the established procedures.

He said the state government has to...