Chinese community upset over ‘missing’ allocation for schools

KUCHING: The Chinese community in the state is questioning the Education Ministry over the RM50 million allocated to Chinese primary schools under Budget 2016 which until now has not been disbursed.

President of Federation of Chinese Associations of Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian Dato Richard Wee said the ‘ missing’ RM50 million has been the topic of discussion among the Chinese community.

“Apart from the income tax issue, this is the other issue that makes the Chinese community angry,” Wee told The Borneo Post recently.

Due to the much-reduced allocation for Chinese primary schools in 2016 Budget, MCA had asked for an additional allocation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak personally and he agreed to give an additional RM50 million for the schools across the country.

While the Finance Ministry has confirmed that RM50 million had been disbursed to the Education Ministry, the Education Ministry denied receiving the full RM50 million and as a result Chinese primary schools which had applied for financial aid have yet to receive any of the aid from the fund.

“We have been waiting for the allocation during the holidays but the money did not come. And the Education Department said they did not receive any allocation.”

“We are very angry at what is happening. Since the money is with the Education Ministry, the ministry should disburse it accordingly because the money should go to where it is allocated,” said Wee.

Meanwhile, secretary general of Sarawak United Association of Chinese Primary Aided Schools Boards of Management Chai Voon Tok said the federal government must come up with some remedial actions.

“We call for the prime minister’s intervention to solve the problem,” said Chai.

He said there are 222 Chinese primary schools in Sarawak and many had applied and are waiting for the financial aid promised by the government.

“Some schools are halfway under construction and need the financial help to get the projects going while some schools may need urgent repair and upgrading,” he pointed out.

Chai said Chinese primary schools have been facing many challenges getting assistance from the Education Ministry because some officers were the Little Napoleons who ignored the federal cabinet decisions or refused to implement the decisions.

“Even the prime minister admitted it. Apart from allocation, another area where Chinese primary schools are facing problem is the relocation of schools as well as the application for new schools in densely populated areas.”

“We have encountered bad experience and problems during applications and finally, we are forced to do it through political channel which to me should not be the case. Why should we politicise education which is meant to build up our future generations?”

He held the view that to solve the problem once and for all, the Little Napoleons in the Education Ministry should be removed to ensure fair treatment for all schools.