(From left) Tan, Masing, Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit and Shia Shui Poh – the Kapit MP’s special officer for the Chinese community – examine the new site for SJK Ming Tak.
KAPIT: The Education Ministry (MOE) has agreed to a proposal to move SJK Ming Tak, Sarikei here.
Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said this would be on the condition that a proper site could be found for the school.
“We’ve found a site not far from the town and near to residential areas at Bletih. The three acres of land belong to two Chinese families. So with the site identified I’m confident the MOE will give the permit to go ahead,” he said after visiting the proposed site recently.
“In terms of pupil population at SJK Hock Lam, almost half of them are Bumiputera. The new school will allow non-Chinese to come in – that’s the advantage – and to ease the congestion at SJK Hock Lam.”
He pointed out that the growing population has led to congestion at SJK Hock Lam, which is no longer able to build more classroom blocks.
Masing advised the Chinese here to work closely with their community leaders led by Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo.
“The people here must work together to ensure that this could be done. Make sure not to politicise this because this is a long-term plan. If your plan is for one year, plant padi. If your plan if for 10 years, plant fruit, and if your plan is for 100 years, educate children. Let us work together for the benefit of our future generations,” he added.