Chinese educationists expect 2,000 to attend rally

KUANTAN: About 2,000 people are expected to converge at the Padang MPK 4 field today for the 520 (May 20) rally organised by Chinese educationists who are seeking a permit to set up a Chinese independent school here.

Organising chairman Lim Chin Chee said they welcomed people of all political affiliations.

“I can assure the people that the gathering will be peaceful as our intention is to seek approval from the authorities to set up a Chinese independent school in Kuantan.

In Kuantan, there are about 1,100 pupils and presently, parents have to send their children to Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan or Kelantan. — LIM CHIN CHEE

“Anyone can come to hhear us out on why such a school is needed here,” he said.

On Friday, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek gave the green light for all party members to take part provided that the rally was conducted in a peaceful manner.

Dr Chua said this was because MCA was all for Chinese education including building more independent schools and improving existing ones.

Lim, who is also the Pahang Federation of Chinese Schools Management Board chairman, said the rally would proceed as planned at about 2pm with speeches by him, Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah and Dong Zong chairman Dr Yap Sin Tian.

He said that every year, about 3,000 pupils completed their chinese primary education in Pahang and parents who wanted their children to further their studies in Chinese independent secondary schools had to send them outside the state.

“In Kuantan, there are about 1,100 pupils and presently, parents have to send their children to Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan or Kelantan.

“Besides Pahang, Terengganu and Perlis also do not have Chinese independent schools,” he said.

As for the land, Lim said a businessman had agreed to allocate 4.05ha in Jalan Gambang for the school.