One for the album: Loke (centre) handing over the mock cheque to Dr Samuel (in suit jacket).
SEREMBAN: Students at SMK St Paul can look forward to a more conducive learning environment after the government-aided school received a RM1mil donation from YTL Foundation for new tables and chairs.
Seremban MP Anthony Loke, who handed over a cheque for the amount to the school, said the donation was part of the YTL Group’s corporate social responsibility programme.
Loke, an old boy of the school, said he was grateful to YTL Foundation as the tables and chairs were in dire need of replacement.
“As we all know, SMK St Paul, better known as St Paul’s Institution, is a mission school and it needs donations to function properly as it does not receive full funding from the government.
“As an MP and an old boy, I merely helped the school apply for the allocation and I am happy to have been able to help out,” he said after handing over the donation to the school’s board of governors chairman, Dr Bob Samuel.
Loke said many old boys have helped the school and this includes ECM Libra’s Datuk Lim Kian Onn and his friends, who paid for the construction of the school hall.
Loke said he also decided to help out as the school was in his constituency.
“Apart from tables and chairs, the extra money will be used for maintenance as well as to upkeep the school field as this school, which has been here for more than 60 years, places a lot of importance on sports as well,” he said.
Loke, who had also given funds to the school previously from his MP allocations, expressed hope that former students of all schools would help their alma mater.
“We must never forget that schools have helped shape us and we should give back when we are doing better in life. This has to be made a culture,” he said.
SMK St Paul principal Kalaiselvam Muniandi thanked Loke for helping the school get the funding as it was in desperate need of new furniture.
“When YB Loke came here for a sports meet a few months ago, I personally approached him for help.
“He told me to quickly submit a request and a working paper, and today, we are receiving this very meaningful contribution which will go a long way to help us provide students with a better learning environment,” he said.
Kalaiselvam added that Loke had also done a lot for the school, with the last being a RM50,000 donation to the SMK St Paul and SK St Paul parent-teacher associations.
