ISSUES related to the development of several proposed Chinese schools in Johor should be resolved fast, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The Ayer Hitam MP raised the matter after pointing out that the proposed projects to develop SJK (C) Kuek Ho Yao and SJK (C) Sim Mow Yu, including the relocation of Yong Peng High School, have been pending since 2018.
“The groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed SJK (C) Kuek Ho Yao was held in March 2018 in the presence of the then education minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who gave his assurance that the project would go on.
“Because of this, the school had appealed to the Education Ministry requesting the development plans, which were submitted in August this year,” he said when debating the ministry’s budget at the committee stage.
He said RM12mil in contributions have since been collected for the development of the school.
“Now, all we need is the green light from the ministry – I appeal to the minister to expedite this,” he said.
On the proposed development of SJK (C) Sim Mow Yu in Pasir Gudang, Dr Wee said plans were put on hold in 2018 as it was said to be too close to the existing SJK (C) Ladang Grisek, which was originally relocated from Tangkak.
“SJK (C) Ladang Grisek is now full, with 720 students, with 50 others awaiting enrolment.
“This means there is a need for another school, owing to the rapid development in the area,” Dr Wee said.
He urged the ministry to work together with the relevant parties to find a formula to resolve the matter.
“What is important is continuity in carrying out what had been decided by the previous administration,” he added.
The MCA president also raised the issue of the proposed relocation of Yong Peng High School, a private school in his constituency.
He said relocation plans had been submitted to the ministry.
“The current school sits on an area about only 9,500 sq ft (883 sq m) but is accommodating over 500 students,” Dr Wee said, adding that Yong Peng residents including the school’s alumni had raised RM30mil for the relocation project.
In reply to the issues raised, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the legal aspects of the relocation status of Yong Peng High School are still being studied.
She said the ministry is still scrutinising the relocation registration certificate application and terms as stipulated in the existing law.
“This is to ensure that the relocation is made in accordance with the Education Act,” she said in winding up the debate on the ministry’s budget.
Fadhlina also said the project drawings of SJK (C) Kuek Ho Yao are being reviewed before being handed over to the Johor Education Department by Dec 13.
“This would then be given to the temporary construction committee of the school for further action,” she said.
