If the government can take over the SRJK (Chinese) Damansara school, then the same could happen to Islamic schools, warned the opposition leader of the government today.

"If they can take this school just like that (with such high-handedness), then they would not hesitate to take over Islamic schools," said PAS president Fadzil Noor after visiting 67 students who are studying in makeshift classes in a temple beside the Chinese school today.

"If they can do this, then it is possible they can do the same elsewhere."

Islamic schools nationwide, although receiving some assistance from the government, are mostly built and funded by Muslim communities.

Fadzil, who received a warm reception by the mostly Chinese villagers and students, was speaking to about 100 villagers at the Buddhist temple ground, near the controversial school.

The SRJK (C) Damansara students 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 building in Tropicana.

No proper reasons

The authorities have been unable to provide concrete explanation as to what would happen to the 70-year-old school and its abandoned site. The majority of the students have moved to Puay Chai (II) but 67 have stayed put, and are continuing their classes on the temple grounds.

"The government has yet to give an answer to why they want to close this school. I can see it for myself that the school environment does not pose any problems to the students. The Department of Environment has also stated that this school is safe for occupation. Furthermore, this school has historical significance," said Fadzil.

SRJK (C) Damansara is the first Chinese school in Petaling Jaya, built in 1930.

Fadzil, who was briefed by Ronnie Liu, adviser to the Action Committee to Save the School, was told that even Queen Elizabeth II had visited the school. Liu also informed Fadzil that despite the increase in the Chinese population in Petaling Jaya, there has been no new Chinese school to cope with the rise in demand.

"The authorities have gazetted 35 new primary schools to be built between 1985 and 2010. Up till today, not one of the schools built was a vernacular school," said Liu.

Fadzil said that his party would pursue the matter further.

"We will first bring this issue to the PAS parliamentary committee on education, headed by Dr Hassan Ali, and we will try to meet the education minister himself. If the minister refuses to meet us, then we will bring this to Parliament," he added.

Fadzil also said education minister Musa Mohamad should visit the school and not resort to such high-handedness as forcibly closing the school.

"The majority have transferred to other schools but the question is whether these parents transferred their children on their own will or were forced to do so," said Fadzil.

National issue

He also stated that he would bring the issue to the 'Malay unity' talks between PAS and Umno on Feb 19 as this is an education issue which affects national unity.

Fadzil had said that one of PAS' prerequisites for the talks is that it should not be narrowly focused on Malay unity, and should involved other pressing national issues.

Fadzil, who was accompanied by PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli and other party members, was also presented with a video CD on the SRJK (C) Damansara issue.

Meanwhile, Liu informed that the Public Works Department plan for the new school in Tropicana shows that there will not be any hall for the new school, and the basketball court will be next to the safety barriers of the high-voltage electricity wires.

"The SRJK (C) Damansara has a newly-built hall. It seems there is this ruling that the authorities do not build halls for Chinese schools," said Liu, pointing out the irony.

The school in Tropicana, which started construction a week ago, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.