Requests for more Chinese primary schools also came from non-Chinese: Wee

PETALING JAYA: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (pix) disclosed that the appeals for more Chinese primary schools, for which 10 new ones were approved, were made not only by Chinese but also non-Chinese.
"Some of the new schools were requested by residents associations. There are also non-Chinese who wrote to MCA with appeals for Chinese primary schools to be built," Wee, who is a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, was quoted as saying in a report in Sin Chew Daily today.
In an interview with the Chinese press on Monday, Wee said MCA will meet up with a team of professionals today (Wednesday) to discuss the setting up of new Chinese schools, including the construction of school blocks, access roads and the provision of utilities.
He pointed out that apart from engaging surveyors and architects, setting up school building committees, an important issue to consider is whether tens of millions of ringgit will be needed to build the necessary infrastructure for the new schools.
On reports that the land for the proposed new schools was provided by housing developers, Wee said it indeed came from developers.
Under the law, developers are required to set aside land in their project for schools, be it national or vernacular schools, he said.
Wee said some developers offer additional plots over and above the allocation mandated by law, as they feel they want to help build schools.
This is indeed the case for some of the proposed schools.
On matters related to the relocation of under-enrolled Chinese primary schools to areas in dire need of them, he said they involved collective decisions.
MCA will make sure that government resources be used in realising the new Chinese schools, he said, adding that the party will help in the overall planning.
Of course, developers are welcome to make contributions, he said.