Wee: I can help save costs
MCA deputy extends hand to ensure Chinese schools built
JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is offering his help to the Education Ministry to ensure that the construction of eight Chinese primary schools (SJKC) will proceed without increase in costs.
The MCA deputy president said he could find experts such as an engineer and an architect who were willing to do the work without payment as charity to help build the schools.
“I am prepared to help save costs in the nation’s interest.
“I am not asking for credit because I have seen construction of many schools in Malaysia before and I know about the cost, designs, concept value and engineering,” said Dr Wee, who is also the MCA Chinese education consultative committee chairman.
He was responding to the ministry’s move to halt the construction of eight Chinese primary schools due to financial considerations.
The previous Barisan Nasional government had in October last year approved the construction of 10 new SJKCs and the relocation of six more with lower enrolment to areas with high demand for such schools.
Speaking to reporters yesterday after chairing Johor MCA’s first official meeting post GE14, Dr Wee said he had written a letter to Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on June 18 and also met with him about the status of the project.
Dr Wee said that Dr Maszlee had assured him that the matter would be addressed within two days.
“Instead, I got a shock when the ministry decided to review the project involving the schools,” Dr Wee said.
He said MCA had worked hard to help the development of SJKCs since 1999, noting that 128 new Chinese schools and relocated ones were given approval.
This was all done according to standard operating procedures, he added.
On a separate matter, Dr Wee, who is also Johor MCA chairman, thanked the state for its motion to nominate him to run for the MCA president’s post in the party elections to be held in November.