BAYAN LEPAS: The Madani government has streamlined approval processes for school relocations and new construction projects where land matters have been resolved and there is genuine demand, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said.
Wong said the Education Ministry facilitated approvals swiftly, particularly for government-aided schools, once all required documentation was complete.
He said the ministry was committed to ensuring equitable support for all types of schools, including national, religious, Chinese and Tamil schools.
“Under the Madani government, we have streamlined all processes. If a new site has enrolment demand and land issues are resolved, there is no issue granting approval,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for SJK(C) Heng Ee.
Citing the school as an example, Wong said he met its board of governors chairman, Tan Sri Alex Ooi, in August 2024.
The relocation permit was issued in June last year, followed by the building approval granted by Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek several months later.
Wong said the government, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, had included Chinese primary school projects in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) rolling plan for two consecutive national budgets.
These include the relocation of SJK(C) Aik Hua from Taiping to Ipoh under the 2026 Budget, and the establishment of a new school, SJK(C) Bandar Mahkota Cheras in Selangor, under the 2027 Budget.
Construction of SJK(C) Heng Ee is scheduled to begin on Monday and is expected to take 15 months, with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2028.
“After obtaining the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) and completing the ministry’s operational preparations, we hope classes can begin around September 2028 after the school holidays,” he said.
He said the school’s original site in George Town had become less conducive, resulting in enrolment dropping to about 130 pupils.
The new school, located next to SMJK Heng Ee on land approved by the state government in 2013, will have 18 classrooms with capacity for 540 pupils at 30 per class, or up to 630 at 35 per class.
“The ministry has no issue approving Phase 2 or 3 expansions, or two sessions if enrolment exceeds 1,000 pupils,” he said, adding that having the primary and secondary schools next to each other would be a “perfect match” for parents.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched the groundbreaking ceremony.
Meanwhile, Ooi said the new site marked a major milestone, turning years of anticipation into reality.
“With this new site, we look forward to the next 70 years, a school rooted in Penang, with students who dare to step onto the world stage,” he said.
He thanked the federal and state governments, elected representatives, donors, alumni, parents and teachers for their support.
Ooi said funds were still needed for equipment and operational preparations, and called on the public and corporate sector to continue contributing. He pledged that the board would manage every sen with integrity and transparency.