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THE Penang government will proceed to facilitate the construction of a Chinese vernacular school named after the state's second chief minister Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow gave this reassurance at a media briefing, saying that after the first piece of land was not approved due to the traffic assessment report, the state has now received another piece of land from the same developer to build a school.
"We are steadfast in our commitment to facilitating the development of SJKC Tun Lim Chong Eu in Penang," said Chow.
Earlier, there were speculations that the state was dragging its feet as the late Chong Eu led Gerakan, a bitter rival of DAP of which Chow is the vice -president.
The state is actively coordinating with relevant departments to ensure that the proposed site at Taman Markisah, Bukit Mertajam, meets all requirements.
Chow explained that a cabinet decision in July 2018 approved the construction of SJKC Tun Lim Chong Eu in Penang.
This followed an earlier proposal to develop the school at Puncak Alam Eco Grandeur in Selangor but the Education Ministry decided that it was best to site the school in Penang owing to the inspirational deeds of Chong Eu for the state.
On Feb 3, 2020, a developer offered a four-acre plot near the Vangohh Eminent Hotel as the proposed site for the school.
However, progress was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Post-pandemic, follow-up efforts resumed, but the site was ultimately deemed unsuitable as it failed in its traffic impact assessment,” Chow explained.
Chow said the developer subsequently proposed another site in Taman Markisah.
“Although education matters, including the construction of schools, fall outside the jurisdiction of state governments, the Penang government remains dedicated to providing support wherever possible. The state government primarily serves as a facilitator in education.”
“We do not seek recognition, but we hope to be spared unwarranted criticism,” he said.
Chow highlighted that the state had committed funding for all 90 Chinese primary schools, 12 national-type Chinese secondary schools, 24 mission schools, and five independent Chinese secondary schools in Penang since 2009. December 13, 2024.
