Some 300 people today held a protest against the impending land acquisition and demolition of a portion of Chinese primary school SJK (C) Chin Woo by the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

NONE The government has delayed the demolition, which had been scheduled for today.

The protesters gathered at the basketball court located in the compound of the school on Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

Addressing those present, school board chairperson Oo Tin Fuan said the government had only delayed the demolition and not cancelled it.

"If the government is sincere, it should cancel the land acquisition and demolition work," Oo said.                

Several representatives from different Chinese education NGOs, including United Chinese Schools Committees Association (Dong Zong) chairperson Yap Sin Tian also took part in the protest.

NONE Oo had previously slammed MCA for failing to stop the acquisition and demolition.

However, he changed his tune today, saying that the board was hoping the Chinese-based party could help.

"We don't want to embarrass MCA. We believe the MCA can negotiate with the government to settle this matter," he added.

The Tourism and Culture Ministry is planning to acquire about 15,000 square feet of the 84-year-old Chinese primary school for a Kota Warisan building and a restaurant.

The school received a letter on the land acquisition from the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry in September last year.

A second letter was issued by the ministry, now renamed Tourism and Culture Ministry, after the May 5 general election.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz claimed that the land originally belonged to the ministry, but this is disputed by the primary school.

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