Chinese school: Johor's case is different, says Chua
The demand for a Chinese independent school to be built in Segamat in Johor is different from that for one in Kuantan, Pahang, which has since been approved by the federal government, says MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
The demand for a Chinese independent school to be built in Segamat in Johor is different from that for one in Kuantan, Pahang, which has since been approved by the federal government, says MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
"Within the surrounding area (of Segamat), there are two other independent schools. One is in Sungai Mati which is 45 minutes away and another is about an hour away, in Yong Peng.
"In the case of Pahang, we felt there was a need for a Chinese independent school because the state is so big and there is no independent Chinese school there," Chua told a press conference today after the party's presidential council meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur.
He was responding to a 3,000-strong protest in Segamat last Sunday organised by Chinese educationalist group Dong Zong that demanded the setting up of a local branch of the Batu Pahat-based Hua Ren independent school.
Responding to the protest, Chua said the group was entitled to hold such rallies under the Peaceful Assembly Act but he put the turnout at 2,000 people.
Asked if the protest would prompt MCA to lobby the federal government for the school, Chua replied: "What do you mean follow-up? We have always been deeply involved in mother tongue education, whether there is a rally or no rally, whether anybody says anything or not."
Pressed on MCA's stance about an independent Chinese high school for Segamat, as the people demanded, he replied: "We will need to deliberate further."
On May 20, Dong Zong organised a similar protest in Kuantan, Pahang, for the setting up of the Chong Hwa independent high school, the first of its kind in the state.
On July 27, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong announced the government's nod for the school.
‘Task force to handle Chinese cemetery move'
On the relocation of some 3,000 Chinese graves to make way for the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang, Chua said a task force to handle the sensitive issue has been set up after the matter was raised at the National Economic Council.
He said some 11,000 Muslim graves had already been relocated.
Yesterday, funeral service personnel commissioned by the Johor government to mark a Pengerang Chinese cemetery for relocation were forced by local residents to
kneel and apologise
to their 'ancestors' after accusing them of trespassing and tampering with the tombstones.
Chua noted that a Chinese school too needed to be relocated because of the Rapid project,.
"As far as the Chinese school is concerned, our stand is clear: no land and money, then no relocation. So, whoever wants to use the land on which the Chinese school sits on must find an alternative land and give them the money needed or the Chinese school stays put," he said.
However, Chua added, MCA would support any development that would contribute to the economy and the Pegerang Rapid project was expected to generate some 200,000 jobs.
"Some of them have received good compensation and I'm sure a lot more people will move out subsequently," he said.
On another matter, Chua announced that Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (KTAR) has been approved to be upgraded to a university college and this would take effect next year.
The government, he added, has agreed to continue funding KTAR for its operation and capital expenditure despite the upgrade and has in principle approved RM56 million for next year.
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