Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Demolition at Chin Woo school 'suspended for now'


Although final instructions have been issued to demolish parts of SJK (C) Chin Woo on Sept 24 as part of a land acquisition exercise, these will not be carried out as scheduled at the 84-year-old school in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

NONEMCA deputy president Liow Tiong Lai (left) said Culture and Tourism Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has promised him that the demolition has been suspended until a meeting is held between the ministry and the school.

“I have an assurance from Nazri and the school has been assured that no demolition will be done pending negotiations,” Liow said when contacted today.

He was responding to comments by Oo Tin Fuan, the chairperson of the school board of directors, who had chided MCA for being inefficient in handling the land acquisition exercise.

The Culture and Tourism Ministry plans to use 1,393.55 sq metres of the 0.81 ha school site for construction of the Seri Melayu Restaurant.

This has been strongly opposed by NGOs and the school’s board of directors among others.
On the allegation that MCA did not provide updates to the school, Liow refuted this, saying that in fact, he had called up Oo to enlighten him on Nazri’s assurance.

“I had also told him (Oo) not to worry about the dateline, as arrangements are being made,” he said.

Liow added that he had, in August, written to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, but he was still awaiting a reply.

Asked when the school’s board of directors would meet Nazri, Liow refused to reveal the date, saying, “I will let you know later.” 

Wee skipped lunch for Chin Woo


Compared to Liow’s gentle tone, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong was apparently more irritable and angry upon answering questions over the phone when contacted, pointing out that MCA had always become the scapegoat.

“Every time we try to help (others), we will be whacked. Do you think we can control so many things?”

NONEWee (right) also claimed that after inspecting the primary school with Liow on July 15, he had to skip his lunch by rejecting the school’s invitation, in order to meet Nazri immediately.  

“I swear to God. I was rushing to meet Nazri within an hour that day, to convey the message that the school’s board of directors has for him,” he stressed.

Asked why the Land Office had freuently issued notices to vacate to the school, Wee explained that the office was merely following procedures.

“They (Land Office) won’t know what the MCA-Nazri negotiation is all about, and I will not tell you, too,” he said.

Wee added that detailed discussions will be held once Nazri is back to the country a day before the scheduled demolition.

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