MOE COMMITTED TO CONTINUE BUILDING SJKT SUNGAI BAKAP

NIBONG TEBAL, July 4 (Bernama) -- The Education Ministry (MOE) is committed to continuing the construction of a long-stalled Tamil national-type school (SJKT) in Sungai Bakap here for the benefit of the community.

Its Minister, Fadhlina Sidek said the project is being revived, including updating the documents at the State Education Department (JPN) and District Education Office (PPD).

"We know this school has been stalled for so long, so there is a long list of processes that need to be completed, including the land and debt issues, but we are definitely taking full responsibility (to complete its construction),” she said when met by Bernama at the "Program Sembang Durian YBs” near the Sungai Bakap police station here today.

Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, when speaking at the "Malam Kasih Bersama Pemimpin” in Sungai Kechil here, hoped that the construction of the Tamil school can be continued.

Fadhlina said what the Deputy Prime Minister hoped for is quite similar to the commitment shown by the Ministry, adding that even before this, a special committee had been established to monitor the school's construction.

As part of her commitment, Fadhlina, also the Nibong Tebal Member of Parliament, also allocated RM50,000 for the construction start-up fund for the school.

As such, she believes that the school construction issue would not result in a low voter turnout among Indians in the Sungai Bakap state by-election this Saturday (July 6) as claimed by certain parties.

"We (the MOE) have clarified this issue before the election and have been committed since last year to ensure this school can be completed.

"With the support we receive from all parties, including the JPN, PPD and parents, I don't think the Indian community need to protest (the election) because this is for their benefit too and the school must be part of the education agenda for the Indian community,” she said.

The July 6 Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abidin Ismail following the death of the incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

-- BERNAMA