Guan Eng: Explain why I was barred from visiting Chinese school

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants the Education Ministry to explain why he was not allowed to visit a Chinese school in Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, to extend financial aid.

Lim told a press conference that the move to bar his visit was a "travesty of democratic principles".

"Why victimise the Penang government and bully its chief minister? There is no logic in preventing us from visiting the school when all we want to do is provide financial aid.

"Bear in mind that I am the only Chinese chief minister in the country, and yet, I cannot enter a Chinese primary school in my own state, despite having written a letter to inform the Education Ministry. I have never experienced this before. It must be because the general election is near," Lim said.

According to Lim, he was supposed to visit and provide financial aid to the Sungai Lembu Chinese primary school, on which he had earlier informed the ministry.

Lim received a letter on Sept 6 from Penang Education Department director Shaari Osman, informing him that he is not allowed to visit the school.

Application rejected by ministry

He was told that his application had been rejected by the Education Ministry.

Lim also claimed that an Umno leader had been permitted to visit the school, although the party "does not support Chinese education".

The Bagan MP went on to ask: “There is no respect for the post of CM but how come an Umno leader, coming from a party that supports only one language education, was allowed into the school?”

Lim was referring to Umno Permatang Pauh division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said, who has visited several schools in Permatang Pauh, and even organised a record-making event that saw Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak participating in a feast while sitting cross-legged at the Seberang Perai Polytechnic last month.

Sungai Lembu was thrust into the spotlight after state executive councillor in charge of environment, welfare and caring society, Phee Boon Poh, and two others were detained by the MACC last month over the operations of an illegal factory.

Lim urged state government officials to go to such schools to see for themselves that kind of aid that is required, instead of just relying on reports.

He also asked if the ministry could give a guarantee that it would provide enough allocations for needy schools.

"If they are unable to do so, why stop us from entering school to see their needs?

“We cannot provide all the funds due to financial constraints, but we can give some remedial funds annually,” Lim said.

“If the Education Ministry cannot guarantee enough funds for Chinese schools, then it is politicising education for its own selfish interests,” he stressed. - Mkini