SJK(C) Tun Tan Siew Sin - MPSJ refutes MCA

SUBANG JAYA: The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) is refuting claims by MCA that it has deliberately stalled the approval of three Chinese schools.

 

MPSJ councillor Ng Sze Han said the council had actually expedited the approval process so the schools can be built as soon as possible, especially in the case of SJK(C) Bukit Serdang.

He pointed out that the school's constructions has been approved despite the fact that land procedures have yet to be completed.

 

"The school is only using three acres of a 7.17-acre plot but the land has not been divided, the documents are not complete,

"But we issued a Planning Approval (KM) for the school anyway so they do not have to wait and it's also issued within the standard 30 days," said Ng at a press conference yesterday.

 

The school will be built on a plot of land between Lestari Perdana and Puncak Jalil in Seri Kembangan.

He also refuted similar accusations that the council is blocking the opening of SJK(C) Tun Tan Siew Sin in Putra Heights and SJK(C) Keng Chee in Puchong.

"The council has already done everything we can and issued all the necessary documents to these schools, the rest (of necessary documents) is up to other departments such as the Fire and Rescue Department," said Ng.

 

Although construction of the two schools is already completed, it is unclear whether they will start classes in the coming school year.

However, many worried parents have contacted both Ng and Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Ean Yong Hian Wah to find out whether the schools will be ready.

"We do not know when it will open, but it does not look like it will be any time soon," said Ng.

Ean Yong then said it is not up to MPSJ to decide when the school will be open, and it is the prerogative of the Education Ministry.

 

"MCA must give a clear answer to these parents, give them a date and tell them whether the schools will open next year," said Ean Yong, who is also state executive councillor.

It was learnt that residents in the vicinity have been pushing for a Chinese school for the past 10 years and the SJK(C) Butkit Serdang was a part of BN's pre-election promise in January 2008.

Ean Yong believes the accusations are political in nature and questioned MCA's ability to deliver.

 

"Why now? People have been demanding it for more than 10 years, I really hope they are working on it; we do not want this all to just be a 'sandiwara',

"The school is scheduled to be completed in 2013 and will be open in 2014, it is a very plausible date but will the project disappear again after the general election?" said Ean Yong.

Ean Yong also questioned the double standards applied to SJK(C) Bukit Serdang as it is a ministry guideline that a primary school must be built on a plot of land at least six acres wide.

"The ministry only allowed the school to use three acres, this is unacceptable; Why the downgrade? Why the double standards?" said Ean Yong.

He pointed out that the issue has been highlighted in the media but ignored by Putrajaya.