Wong (right) planting a tree. Also seen are Liu (fourth left) and Temenggong Lu Kim Yong (right). — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) president and Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has pledged RM300,000 for a new development project of SJKC Sungai Tengah in Batu Kawa here.
Together with the pledge by UPP Batu Kawa branch, the total contributions from the party for a new block and a new multipurpose hall of the school now stand RM500,000.
Wong and UPP Batu Kawa branch chairman Pemanca Liu Thian Leong made the promise during the opening of a completed new building at the school on Wednesday.
“I am happy to see that the school that was in miserable condition being transformed into a four-storey new block while the second phase of the construction project comprising another new school block and a multipurpose hall has been launched.
“These projects would not be possible if not for the hard work and commitment of the school’s board of management as well as generous donations from prominent businessmen,” said Wong at the opening ceremony.
Meanwhile, Liu, who is also chairman of the United Association of Boards of Management for Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions Chinese Primary Schools, extended his gratitude to the school’s board of management chairman for his perseverance in making the first phase of the project a success.
The school, he recalled, was declared as unfit by Public Works Department (JKR) some five years ago.
“It was just a block that came with six classrooms. I remember the chairman helped the school apply for federal fund to reconstruct the school. Now a brand new block with 20 classrooms has been completed and the board is now embarking on the next phase of the building project. This reflects the sense of pride, love and sacrifice of the Chinese community towards the betterment of Chinese schools.”
Liu, however, urged the government to assume a positive role in helping and working
closely with the boards of management to further develop Chinese primary schools.
“Together, the government and the Chinese community can make great contributions towards national education and nation building.”
He believed that Chinese education in the country, despite all odds and challenges, would be preserved and further developed as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.