MCA president Liow Tiong Lai said he will bring up the issue of inaccessible funding for Chinese primary schools with the prime minister.

He said the matter was discussed from time to time, and he will follow up on it soon to ensure that the RM50 million allocated for the schools will be disbursed.

“From time to time, we have been discussing with the prime minister. We will further follow up with the prime minister on this issue,” he told reporters in Rawang today when asked when the discussion is expected take place.

A fortnight ago, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid confirmed media reports the ministry has restricted access to the annual RM50 million allocation due to a shortage of funds.

The money is meant for the maintenance and development of Chinese schools.

At the time, China Press quoted Mahdzir saying that the matter may be resolved by the final week of 2016. If not, schools would have to “take what is available”.

According Mahdzir’s deputy Chong Sin Woon last week, MCA had insisted that the government disburse the full RM50 million allocated for the schools, and the party had rejected the partial disbursement of the funds.

“MCA insists that Chinese primary schools should receive (the full) RM50 million.

“The money (for Chinese primary schools) did come to the Education Ministry in August but it was not the full amount and we will not accept a partial disbursement,” he said.