After locking horns with each other over the construction of a Chinese primary school, Subang Jaya state assemblyperson Lee Hwa Beng and a group of disgruntled parents have finally agreed to cooperate on raising funds for the project.

Chairperson of the Working Committee for the Development of Chinese Schools in Subang Jaya/USJ Gan Wah Lien told malaysiakini today that Lee agreed to work for the construction of the whole school for SJKC Chee Wen and not just one block of 16 classrooms.

He added the understanding was reached during a meeting with Lee, who is also the chairperson of Chee Wen's board of governors, at his service centre yesterday evening.

Gan's lobby group, which consists of parents in Subang Jaya and USJ, had previously clashed with the school's board of governors on the construction of the Chee Wen school.

While Lee had sought for the building of just one block of 16 classrooms, the working committee wanted a complete school complex to be erected.

Closed-door meeting

According to Gan, MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik held a closed-door meeting with a group of parents at a hotel in Petaling Jaya last Friday to hear their concerns over the delay in the construction of the school.

Lee, who was also present at the meeting, was asked to cooperate with the parents to bring about a satisfactory solution to the issue, said Gan.

According to Gan, Ling also offered his assistance to raise funds for the school.

However, Ling stressed the school could only be given a RM500,000 grant at the moment.

"He said that more money from the government could be forthcoming for Chee Wen but nothing has been confirmed," added Gan.

Lee could not be reached for comment.

Disgruntled parents

SJKC Chee Wen which is currently operating from five borrowed classrooms in another Subang Jaya school (SK SS17) was relocated from Batang Berjuntai in 1999 to serve the USJ Chinese community.

Parents of Chee Wen students decided to form the working committee after the failure of the school's governors to construct a building for the school by 2001.

On Jan 9, Deputy Education Minister Hon Choo Kim offered the school board a grant of RM500,000, but on the condition that the Chee Wen would be temporarily removed from its listing as a 'fully-aided' school under the Eighth Malaysia Plan.

Parents unhappy with the offer, have decided to accept the partial grant to enable the start of construction for the school.