The land is there, we will raise the necessary building fund, so what more excuse is there for the BN government not to build a new Chinese primary school

Press Conference Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat in Ipoh on Saturday, February 25, 2012

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The land is there, we will raise the necessary building fund, so what more excuse is there for the BN government not to build a new Chinese primary school and a new SMK in Bercham?

Presently, over 90% of the Chinese population sends their children to Chinese primary schools.

Although more parents are now sending their children to Chinese independent schools , government secondary schools ( Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan-SMK) is the main choice for most of the Chinese parents when their children complete their education at Chinese primary school.

Presently, there are 27 Chinese primary schools and 8 SMK in Ipoh.

It is therefore clear that there is a shortage of SMK in Ipoh. The problem is even more acute in Bercham, a fast growing area.

There is no SMK within Bercham area which includes Tasek, Chemor and Tanjung Rambutan.

Yet, in Bercham is located a Chinese primary school with the highest student enrolment.

Therefore, there is an urgent need for Bercham to have a new Chinese primary school as well aSMK.

But till today, the Education Ministry has not been responsive and sensitive to the people’s needs and demands.

MCA politicians have on many occasions talked about wanting to help fulfill the Bercham people’s needs, but till today they have not been able to deliver.

Their talk remains as empty talk.

Last week, when the MCA President Chua Soi Lek visited Berrcham, he was presented with a memorandum requesting for a SMK to be built in Bercham, Ipoh.

The Bercham people’s request is not a new issue. And Datuk Chua certainly does not need any further time to study.

Let’s see when and whether Datuk Chua can make a promise that MCA can deliver on this issue.

In the last few years, I have spoken up on this Bercham issue inside and outside the Parliament.

But the government which is now helmed by a Prime Minister who has declared that “People First, Performance Now” has continued to ignore the plight of the Bercham people.

As the people’s elected representative, I shall continue to speak up for them.

I shall again raise the Bercham issue in the coming sitting of Parliament which begins on 12^th March2012.

As I have previously pointed out, since a 7 acre land which is some 2km from the site of present Bercham school has been gazetted to build a school but it is still vacant for over 10 years, it ought to be utilized to build a new secondary and a Chinese primary school.

If the BN is unwilling to fund the building the cost, give us the necessary permits and conditions, we will raise public fund to build the schools.

The land is there, we will raise the necessary building fund, so what more excuse is there for the BN government not o build a new Chinese primary school and a new SMK in Bercham?