Penang Barisan Nasional will seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the permit to build a branch school for Sekolah Menengah Jit Sin in Seberang Perai Selatan.

Penang Barisan Nasional Working Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said the coalition is committed to play its role to help the school obtain the permit.

“In line with the 1Malaysia concept, Penang Barisan Nasional will support whatever is good for the people. Having a school branch in SPS will greatly serve the needs of the people there,” said Dr Teng.

Dr Teng, who is also Penang Gerakan chief, was speaking at a meeting with board members of Jit Sin in Bukit Mertajam on Tuesday. Also present were leaders of Penang BN component parties including Penang Umno chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, Penang MIC chief Datuk PK Subbaiyah, Penang PPP chief Datuk Loga Bala and Penang MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan.

Dr Teng said he had called up Dato’ Seri Teh Aik Lum, Jit Sin High School Board chairman, to enquire about the status of the school’s application for permit for the branch school in SPS.

“Immediately after the school had submitted the application on April 1, 2010, Barisan Nasional began its network to communicate with the Ministry of Education. We also liaise with Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Deputy Education Minister Datuk Wee Ka Siong .We have been paying special attention on the subject,” he said.

Dr Teng also said that at a meeting with PM on July 19, 2010, the Penang BN had brought to his attention the need for more Chinese secondary schools not only in Seberang Perai but also on Penang Island.

“Najib’s response was positive. It is the wish of the people that there should be a Chinese secondary school in SPS and one in Barat Daya,” he said, adding that Zainal Abidin had given strong support for the Jit Sin branch in SPS.

In his speech, Zainal Abidin said he subscribed to the concept of giving equal chance for everyone, regardless of race, to pursue education.

He said he was impressed with the efforts of the local Chinese community to raise funds to support local schools. “When I was Nibong Tebal MP, I often visit the relocation of Chinese primary school to check on their needs and problems arising,” he said.

Jit Sin High School board chairman Dato’ Seri Teh Aik Lum said about 15 years ago, a group of Chinese Education activists had requested Jit Sin to set up a branch in SPS.

He said housing developer Asas Dunia had donated a piece of land for the branch.

“We hope the BN State Working Committee can help the school to obtain the permit. When the branch school is built, many students from SPS need not have to travel to our main school in Bukit Mertajam,” he added.

by Editorial Desk
gerakan4u.com