Chinese schools await cash cow

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The 2,000 hectares of land promised by the govt will most likely be turned into an oil palm plantation

SIBU: The 2,000 hectares of land promised by the state government will most likely be turned into an oil palm plantation to generate revenue to ease the heavy financial burden which is currently shouldered by Chinese independent schools in the state.

Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Schools Management Board president Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming said the 14 Chinese independent schools were in the red as they annually incurred deficits totalling RM5 million in operational expenses.

“If this land is developed, it will definitely go a long way to help Chinese independent schools, in terms of revenue that each of these schools can get.

“The chief minister had pledged to give us the 2,000 hectares of land; this is a sizeable piece of land, and if properly developed and managed will help generate quite a sustainable amount of revenue to meet expenses incurred in the running of the schools,” he told The Borneo Post after a gotong-royong exercise at Surau Darul Jannah in Kampung Datu Baru here yesterday.

This community project in Nangka constituency was organised by the Nangka Community Secretariat (Spekna) in collaboration with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Nangka village security and development committee (JKKK), other NGOs and government agencies.

LET’S DO IT TOGETHER: Lau (front, fourth left), Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee (sixth left) and others pose for a photo before gotong-royong exercise at Surau Darul Jannah in Kampung Datu Baru.

Special committee on land management

Lau said a special committee to look into the management of the land had yet to be formed, but the most likelihood was that the land would be for agricultural purposes as it was most likely to be located away from the town.

“I think the best utilisation of the land will be for agricultural purpose. The best form of agriculture is oil palm plantation.”

Asked if it would be a joint-venture initiative, he replied it was too early to say as they were in the midst of setting up the committee.

For now, he added, all the CIS depended on the generosity of the community, especially the Chinese community, as the school fees and miscellaneous fees collected were not enough for the running of the schools.

“I hope the government will provide them (CIS) annual grants to help lessen their financial burden.”