The federal government is trying to sabotage the Selangor government’s initiative to establish more Chinese-medium schools in Puchong, charged opposition MP Teresa Kok today.

The Seputeh DAP parliamentarian said the state’s application for a plot of federal land was rejected on reasons that it was reserved for Malay-medium primary and secondary schools.

NONE “The Selangor council on Sept 23, last year, approved two plots of land in Taman Tasik Prima Puchong for the construction of SJKC Yak Chee (2) and (SMJK) Katholik (2), and a school for children with autism.

“In a letter dated Sept 30, the state had written to the Education Ministry expressing support for the school board to build the schools and requesting the ministry for permits,” Kok ( centre in photo ) said.

However, the ministry rejected the application in November, saying that the 13 acres of reserve land was being held for the construction of SK and SMK Taman Prima Puchong.

“Looking at the fact that the reserve land is still under the purview of the state government, the federal government has got no right to determine the use of the land.

“The way the ministry has applied for the same land for other schools, shows that the ministry really has no intention to resolve the inadequacy of Chinese schools in Puchong and other areas in Selangor.

“Instead, they want to sabotage the state government’s efforts to solve the problem,” Kok told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

She pointed out that there were four primary schools and two secondary schools within a 3km radius of the reserve land.

In a written reply yesterday, in response to Kok’s question on the same matter in Parliament, the ministry cited Article 85 of the constitution which states: “[...] Where any land in a State which is reserved for any federal purposes ceases to be required for those purposes, the Federal Government shall offer to release the land to the State on condition that the State pays to the Federation.”

Later, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong at a separate press conference, urged Kok not to politicise the matter, saying that the ministry had denied the application as there were other plans for the land.

“The minister had just approved a piece of land to SJKC Seberang Prai not too long ago, so it is not right for Kok to say that the ministry does not care for the development of Chinese schools,” he added.