Change of stance over Damansara school?
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Jan 3, 2007 10:59 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The next general election, speculated to be held at the end of this year or early next year, holds out hope again for a group of parents who have been waiting for a Chinese primary school to be reopened for six years.
The next general election, speculated to be held at the end of this year or early next year, holds out hope again for a group of parents who have been waiting for a Chinese primary school to be reopened for six years.
The SRJK(C) Damansara was closed by the education ministry in 2001, after a new building was constructed about 4km away.
However, a handful of parents have supported the school at its original premises in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, with lessons being held in makeshift classrooms housed in air-conditioned containers.
Save our School (SOS Damansara) committee chairperson Yong Yoke Sung told the media today that the parents and committee have always pinned their hopes on an election 'sweetener' being handed out, but that the 2004 outing had turned out to be a disappointment.
Yong's expectations have been raised following several developments. For instance, the current batch of students were allowed into the abandoned premises today to hold a special assembly. Last year, security guards had prevented them from doing so, on the ministry's orders.
The 40-minute assembly featured fiery speeches from Loot Ting Yee, advisor of United Chinese School Teachers Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) and other Chinese educationists.
Principal Wong Chin Lee said the school was able to register its candidates for last year's UPSR examination without difficulty, due to improved co-operation by the authorities.
To date, the movement has survived for 2,193 days with 39 pupils and 11 teachers remaining in the makeshift school. Seven new pupils were enrolled for this year.
Change in attitude
Yong said he had raised the issue with MCA Youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong, when both were at a recent function.
"He said it may be possible to meet our demand but that this will have to be achieved gradually and on condition that the school will to have to be renamed," Yong said.
"I told him that, as long as it remains a Chinese primary school and not a vision school, we can accept another name. He also promised to discuss the issue with us."
Yong said he sees Wee's statement as a shifting of MCA's attitude on the closure of the school.
"Previously, those in MCA would not dare talk about this issue. They always said we have a new school and that the problem has been solved."
Last November, MCA parliamentarian for Serdang Yap Pian Hon, surprisingly urged the government to come up with a solution.
The Chinese community nationwide has backed the lobby to reopen the school, but the MCA leadership has not picked up on this while local press has blacked out coverage of the lobby.
The MCA may have been jolted by the outcome of the Sarawak elections held last May, when the Chinese-based Sarawak United People's Party suffered its worst ever defeat.
Furthermore, controversies relating to Chinese community and racist remarks made by Umno politicians have heightened disgruntlement and added pressure on MCA for a response.
The SRJK(C) Damansara was closed by the education ministry in 2001, after a new building was constructed about 4km away.
However, a handful of parents have supported the school at its original premises in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, with lessons being held in makeshift classrooms housed in air-conditioned containers.
Save our School (SOS Damansara) committee chairperson Yong Yoke Sung told the media today that the parents and committee have always pinned their hopes on an election 'sweetener' being handed out, but that the 2004 outing had turned out to be a disappointment. Yong's expectations have been raised following several developments. For instance, the current batch of students were allowed into the abandoned premises today to hold a special assembly. Last year, security guards had prevented them from doing so, on the ministry's orders.
The 40-minute assembly featured fiery speeches from Loot Ting Yee, advisor of United Chinese School Teachers Association of Malaysia (Jiao Zong) and other Chinese educationists.
Principal Wong Chin Lee said the school was able to register its candidates for last year's UPSR examination without difficulty, due to improved co-operation by the authorities.
To date, the movement has survived for 2,193 days with 39 pupils and 11 teachers remaining in the makeshift school. Seven new pupils were enrolled for this year.
Change in attitude
Yong said he had raised the issue with MCA Youth secretary-general Wee Ka Siong, when both were at a recent function.
"He said it may be possible to meet our demand but that this will have to be achieved gradually and on condition that the school will to have to be renamed," Yong said. "I told him that, as long as it remains a Chinese primary school and not a vision school, we can accept another name. He also promised to discuss the issue with us."
Yong said he sees Wee's statement as a shifting of MCA's attitude on the closure of the school.
"Previously, those in MCA would not dare talk about this issue. They always said we have a new school and that the problem has been solved."
Last November, MCA parliamentarian for Serdang Yap Pian Hon, surprisingly urged the government to come up with a solution.
The Chinese community nationwide has backed the lobby to reopen the school, but the MCA leadership has not picked up on this while local press has blacked out coverage of the lobby.
The MCA may have been jolted by the outcome of the Sarawak elections held last May, when the Chinese-based Sarawak United People's Party suffered its worst ever defeat.
Furthermore, controversies relating to Chinese community and racist remarks made by Umno politicians have heightened disgruntlement and added pressure on MCA for a response.
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