KPT is committed to continuing the Sungai Bakap SJKT construction project, said Fadhlina

NIBONG TEBAL: The Ministry of Education (KPM) is committed to continue the construction project of a Tamil National Type School (SJKT) in Sungai Bakap here which has been delayed for a long time, for the good of the community.

According to Bernama, the minister in question, Fadhlina Sidek, said the project was in the process of being picked up again, including updating documentation papers at the State Education Department (JPN) and District Education Office (PPD) levels.

“We know this school has been delayed for so long so there are many processes that need to be completed including land and debt issues but we do take full responsibility (to complete construction),” he said when met by Bernama at the YBs Durian Chat Program near the Sungai Bakap Police Station, in here yesterday.

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

On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when speaking at the Night of Love with Leaders in Sungai Kechil here expressed the hope that the construction of the Tamil school could continue.

Fadhlina said what the Deputy Prime Minister was hoping for was not far from the commitment being implemented by the MoC, and even before that a special committee was created to monitor the construction of the school.

As for the commitment on her own part, she as Member of Parliament for Nibong Tebal has allocated RM50,000 for the start-up fund for the construction of the school, she said.

In relation to that, she believes that the school construction issue will not be a factor that causes the turnout of Indians in the Sungai Bakap State Assembly By-Election (PRK) this Saturday to be low, as claimed by some parties.

“We (KPM) have already explained this issue before the next election and our commitment has already started from last year until this year to ensure that this school can really be completed.

“In fact we also get support from all parties including JPN, PPD and parents, so I don’t think why the Indian community needs to protest (vote) because this is for their good as well and this school must be part of the education agenda of the Indian community,” she said.

This Saturday’s Sungai Bakap state assembly by-election saw a one-on-one clash between Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abidin Ismail, which was held following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.