Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak has launched a state-wide fund-raising campaign to support Chinese-language education, with a RM1 million target.

The party's central leadership has kicked off the drive with a RM7,000 contribution.

Secretary-general Kamarul Bahrain Abas and national information chief Tian Chua officiated at the launch in Kuching yesterday. Also present were state liaison chief Wan Zainal Wan Sanudi, Padungan state assemblyperson Dominique Ng Kim Ho, and legal adviser and Stampin division head See Chee How.

The Sarawak United Association of Chinese Primary Schools (Tonglianhui), an umbrella body for 57 schools in the Kuching and Samarahan divisions, was also represented.

See told reporters that PKR has pledged to hand over at least RM500,000 to the association by the end of this year, and the balance next year.

The fund is specifically in aid of Tonglianhui's project to relocate SJK Sg Tapang Hilir in Jalan Bako to MJC Batu Kawah New Township on the outskirts of Kuching.

This will cost RM7 million, including RM2 million to acquire a 2ha site at the new location. Construction work is expected to start in March next year with completion scheduled for the new school session in 2009.

See also said Tonglianhui and its associate boards of management are looking into other projects involving the reconstruction and relocation of Chinese primary schools, including SJK Bak and SJK Chung Hua School No 3.

PKR has promised to refund the donors every cent donated, as and when it comes to power.

"Mother-tongue education is a constitutional right. There are clear legal provisions under the Education Act 1996 that primary school education should be fully funded by the government," See said.

"Unfortunately, the Barisan Nasional government does not treat all primary schools on equal terms, leaving national-type aided schools to rely heavily on public contributions for their needs."

Chua said the fund-raising drive, endorsed by the central leadership, shows the difference between PKR and other parties.

"We see problems of education in any ethnic community as a problem for all of us...we're pioneering this culture in this country," he said.

Ng said he would continue to press the state government to provide an annual financial allocation to Chinese and missionary schools. His motion on the matter has been twice rejected in the state legislative assembly.