Schools relocation plans approved

Friday February 1, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: More Chinese primary schools with low enrolment will be relocated to areas where there is increasing demand for the schools.

The MCA and Gerakan's application to allow this was approved yesterday by the Education Ministry.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein presented the approval letter to MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at Wisma MCA here.

Ong said the new locations, mostly in Johor, Malacca and Klang Valley such as Serdang, Klang and Rawang, had been identified. They are in densely populated areas with high demand of Chinese education.

“The MCA and Gerakan have had several discussions and meetings with the Education Minister on the issues. We also delivered the wishes and opinions of the community.

“For example, many pupils in Sungai Long, Selangor have to wake up early to catch a bus to their schools in Balakong and Cheras, which are miles away.

“With the relocation of the low-enrolment schools, the pupils can attend the schools near their houses,” he said.

Ong thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Hishammuddin for their support on the matter.

Hishammuddin said Chinese, Tamil and religious schools were the strength of the country.
“If the schools can produce Malaysians who are able to represent us and have a place in standing from the emerging market, I feel that we have an advantage.

“This (the relocation of the schools) could not happen if we did not have the trust between us. This will not happen if there is no friendship between the component parties. This will not happen if the Barisan component parties did not have the bigger interest of all Malaysians in heart,” he said.

Dr Koh said the commitment of the Barisan was for the future of all Malaysians and the future of the young generations.