Federal minister has more bite to fight for Chinese education, says Chin

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MIRI: Federal Minister for Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui stressed that SUPP will always fight for the cause of Chinese education in Sarawak with him at the helm.

Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui

Chin had surprised many including fellow colleagues in the Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) by announcing his intention to contest the top party leadership recently.

“SUPP has and will always be concerned about Chinese schools in Sarawak, and education is a federal matter,” said Chin, who chaired a meeting of the management board of SJK(C) Chung Hua Tudan at SUPP Miri head office here on yesterday.

In a press conference after the board meeting, Chin hinted that he is in a better position to ensure better access to education funds for Chinese schools in the state, by virtue of being a federal minister.

Yesterday, Senior Minister (Local Government and Community Development) Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh had reportedly assured that he would try his best to apply for education funds for Chinese schools in the state, and had contacted the Prime Minister on the issue recently.

“It’s not just an individual effort that matters, but rather a collective party effort to help solve the problems of the Chinese community, especially with regards to Chinese education,” said Chin, who was reported to have formed his own team to challenge the Wong-Lee camp for SUPP top leadership at the upcoming Triennial Delegates Conference (TDC) in December.

Chin said he understood the concern of the Chinese community that places great emphasis on education, and stressed that he would always fight for the cause of Chinese schools in the state, which are facing many problems.

“The Chinese community does have its strength in drawing resources from its many successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists, but there’s still much to do,” he noted.

Chin reminded the people of SUPP’s role in helping to set up Chinese schools like SJK(C) Chung Hua Tudan about two years ago.

He pointed out that the federal government had announced a RM73.68 million budget in March, of which RM20 million was earmarked for Chinese primary schools in Sarawak, compared to the nationwide budget for Chinese schools of RM100 million.

“I have submitted a letter as a member of SUPP to the federal government on the need for more funds for Chinese schools in Sarawak, and as a federal minister I will fight for it,” he added.