The action committee to save SRJK (C) Damansara today presented a memorandum to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) requesting an inquiry into alleged violation of human rights in the controversial relocation of the Chinese school in Petaling Jaya.

Ten villagers from the Damansara New Village, accompanied by a representative of the Malaysian Chinese Organisations' Elections Appeal Committee (Suqiu), presented the memorandum to Suhakam commissioner Anuar Zainal Abidin at the Suhakam office.

According to the memorandum, the villagers' human rights are being violated because the school which the villagers have helped to build is closed down with no valid reason given by the authorities.

The villagers, speaking in broken Malay, told Anuar that all they want to do is preserve the school which they believe is their right as they have had the school for over 70 years.

"The villagers have poured in money and sweat to expand the school to what it is today. Yet there is no valid reason given to the villagers when the authorities wanted to close down the school," said the memorandum.

Students to be expelled

Early this year, students from the school were directed by the Education Ministry to temporarily transfer to SRJK (C) Puay Chai (II) - a few kilometres away - while awaiting the completion of a new school in Tropicana. The majority of the students have since moved to Puay Chai (II) but 67 have stayed put, and are continuing their classes at a neighbourhood temple.

The memorandum presented to Suhakam also stated that since Malaysia had signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1995, a statement issued by the education minister has clearly gone against the convention.

On Feb 26, Education Minister Musa Mohamad said that those students who refused to move to Puay Chai (II) by tomorrow would be expelled.

The memorandum also said that under the Article 10 of the Constitution, it is the right of citizens to assemble peacefully, and to voice their opinions.

"The excess and unnecessary use of police force against the villagers and supporters to retain the school is in clear violation of the Constitution. The placing of the Federal Reserve Unit and the police force outside the temple after the notice to disperse was given to the crowd last weekend gives the impression of coercion being used," said the memorandum.

Arrests 'not fair'

The villagers' leader Tommy Chin also informed Anuar of the arrest of 47 people who took part in a walkathon organised to support the retention of the old school two weeks ago. He said that the participants were arrested at traffic lights while they were waiting to cross the road.

"At any given time, there will definitely be a crowd at the traffic lights," said Chin.

Anuar said his personal opinion on the arrests is that "it is not fair".

The villagers requested Anuar to visit the old school to get a clearer picture on the controversy. Anuar replied that he would not make any promises but that he would give "close attention" to the issue.

Suqiu representative Wong Chin Huat said that they are hoping Suhakam would give its views on the matter as they believe that the organisation could put "pressure" on the authorities.

Anuar, however, said that Suhakam will not take sides and that all actions taken by the human rights body will be on the basis of "humanity".

"If humanity is threatened, then we will try to solve the issue, but not with power. This is because Suhakam has no power to take any action. We only have the power to present our views and advice, and it is up (to the other party) to follow that advice," said Anuar.