Chinese schools facing political persecution, says Wee.

Wee: Construction of SJKCs is not a huge cost

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Minister’s move to halt the construction of eight Chinese primary schools has gone against the wish of many Malaysians, said MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

He described as “heart-wrenching” the financial considerations reason given by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik to justify the move.

“The construction of the SJKCs is not a huge cost, and several developers have chipped in to complete the work.

“The so-called financial capability issue is simply a lame argument,” Dr Wee, who is also the MCA Chinese education consultative committee chairman, said in a Facebook posting yesterday.

The previous Barisan Nasional government had in October last year approved and announced the construction of 10 new SJKCs and the relocation of six SJKCs with low enrolment to areas with high demand for such schools.

While the fate of the eight out of the 10 schools is pending review, Dr Maszlee said the other two whose construction are under way were allowed to proceed.

Dr Maszlee however did not mention the fate of the six schools under the relocation plan.

If the Pakatan government wants to exterminate MCA, there are thousands of ways to do so. But please spare the SJKCs from unnecessary political persecution. Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong

Dr Wee pointed out that the approval for the 10+6 schools by then education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid were based on wellfounded studies on the people’s education needs which were approved by the ministry.

“This was the administrative decision of the then government and it has nothing to do with politics,” he added.

Instead, Dr Wee said the move to halt the construction of the eight SJKCs could be intended to discredit MCA.

“If the Pakatan government wants to exterminate MCA, there are thousands of ways to do so. However, please spare the SJKCs from unnecessary political persecution,” he said.

The promotion and development of Chinese education in the country had been one of MCA’s top priority and role in the last 61 years.

The fall of Barisan Nasional had crippled the MCA’s role in this important sector.

Dr Wee urged the Chinese elected representatives of the Pakatan Harapan government to promote the development of Chinese education and ensure the continuation of the 10+6 SJKCs plan.