Chinese NGOs press for reopening of high school
Regina LeePublished: Jan 24, 2011 11:27 AM | Updated: Jan 24, 2011 11:31 AM
Chinese associations took another stab at calling for the re-opening of a Chinese independent school in Segamat, this time taking care to explain that it is not linked to the Tenang by-election campaign.
TENANG
This time,the ‘request’ is linked to Chinese New Year ang-pow rather than to a by-election demand.
Chinese associations took another stab at calling for the re-opening of a Chinese independent school in Segamat, this time taking care to explain that it is not linked to the Tenang by-election campaign.
Johor Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations) chairperson Lim Kah Chuan pointed out last night that the call by 173 associations goes back to 1986, and that it had been renewed last year.
“This is not inten
ded to embarrass the government during this by-election,” he said at a 100-table dinner organised by the associations to campaign for BN’s Tenang candidate Mohd Azahar Ibrahim.
Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai were among the 800 people present.
“(In 1986) the government promised to reopen the school in three months. I still remember that. Although 25 years is a very long time, we have never forgotten the promise,” Lim said in a speech.
“We were once disappointed but we still have hope in BN. I hope the government can give us this as an ang pow for the Year of the Rabbit. I hope the government can give us back this Chinese independent school, as well as strengthen the financial position of Chinese schools.”
Lim explained that, while the most recent call was made at a press conference just a few days before campaigning started for the by-election, this was not intended to put the government in a spot.
In an apparent attempt to pacify BN leaders, he said he still has hope in the coalition and the government.
Just two days before the nominations were filed on Jan 22, seven Chinese NGOs had called for the reopening of the Seg Hwa independent Chinese high school which had been shut down in the 1980s, or the establishment of a new independent school in Segamat.
The Seg Hwa high school was converted to a national secondary school.
Non-committal response
The timing of the call, coupled with the group’s warning that the issue could cost the BN victory in the by-election, led to several MCA leaders dismissing the demand.
MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek reportedly said yesterday that it was intended to “purposely embarrass the BN government”.
Abdul Ghani (left in photo), who spoke during the dinner, remained non-committal except to assure that the matter would be brought up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
He went on to remind the Chinese audience of Najib’s contributions to vernacular education.
“Najib had said last week that vernacular schools are very much a part of the education system.
“It was also Najib who, as an education minister, brought about amendments to the Education Act to include vernacular schools as part of the national education system.”
He added that vernacular schools in Johor receive an annual allocation of RM1.5 million from the menteri besar’s office.
Johor Hua Zong (Federation of Chinese Associations) chairperson Lim Kah Chuan pointed out last night that the call by 173 associations goes back to 1986, and that it had been renewed last year.
“This is not inten
ded to embarrass the government during this by-election,” he said at a 100-table dinner organised by the associations to campaign for BN’s Tenang candidate Mohd Azahar Ibrahim.Johor Mentri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman and Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai were among the 800 people present.
“(In 1986) the government promised to reopen the school in three months. I still remember that. Although 25 years is a very long time, we have never forgotten the promise,” Lim said in a speech.
“We were once disappointed but we still have hope in BN. I hope the government can give us this as an ang pow for the Year of the Rabbit. I hope the government can give us back this Chinese independent school, as well as strengthen the financial position of Chinese schools.”
Lim explained that, while the most recent call was made at a press conference just a few days before campaigning started for the by-election, this was not intended to put the government in a spot.
In an apparent attempt to pacify BN leaders, he said he still has hope in the coalition and the government.
Just two days before the nominations were filed on Jan 22, seven Chinese NGOs had called for the reopening of the Seg Hwa independent Chinese high school which had been shut down in the 1980s, or the establishment of a new independent school in Segamat.
The Seg Hwa high school was converted to a national secondary school.
Non-committal response
The timing of the call, coupled with the group’s warning that the issue could cost the BN victory in the by-election, led to several MCA leaders dismissing the demand.
MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek reportedly said yesterday that it was intended to “purposely embarrass the BN government”.
Abdul Ghani (left in photo), who spoke during the dinner, remained non-committal except to assure that the matter would be brought up to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.He went on to remind the Chinese audience of Najib’s contributions to vernacular education.
“Najib had said last week that vernacular schools are very much a part of the education system.
“It was also Najib who, as an education minister, brought about amendments to the Education Act to include vernacular schools as part of the national education system.”
He added that vernacular schools in Johor receive an annual allocation of RM1.5 million from the menteri besar’s office.
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