There appears to be a falling out between Sarawak’s well-known tycoon Ting Pek Khiing, a strong supporter of Sarawak United People’s Party (Supp) and the party president and Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan.

This is the impression many people get from local newspaper reports today quoting Ting, who is advisor to Global Upline, the contractor for a Supp-sponsored Chinese school project, as saying that he would not hand over the keys to the new school building unless he is paid the RM3.2 million he is still owed by the Chung Hua Primary 2 School Building Committee.

ting pek kiing wife put padlock 051208 The committee is headed by Chan.

Yesterday, Ting and board members of Global Upline, including its chairperson Dr Yusoff Hanifah, Ting’s wife Wong Sui Chuo and an architect, went to the site of the new school, put up a notice at the main gate barring entry to non-authorised persons and padlocked the gate ( see photo ).

From RM4.5m to RM6.2m

According to school officials, Ting’s company signed a RM4.5 million contract on the new school building in Tabuan Jaya Baru, Jalan Stutong, outside the city outskirts on a 3.5 acre site that was originally alienated by the government to a local property development company, which in turn excised the land for the school site.

The sum was subsequently raised to RM6.2 million after additional works, including the construction of the car parks, were done.

Ting was quoted as saying he was still owed RM3 million and despite repeated requests for payment, the school building committee had chosen to keep quiet.

Contacted by Malaysiakini today, School Hua Primary School No 1-6 Board of Management chairperson Dr Chou Chii Ming acknowledged the building committee, headed by Chan, still owed the sum to Ting’s company but explained that Chan had written to Ting to ask for the balance to be paid on or before Dec 31, 2009.

ting pek khiing He said the committee had paid RM2 million to Ting’s company so far from donations raised from the public.

The school board would have to step in to try and raise the money to settle the debt with Ting ( right ), according to Chou.

Chou was confident the matter would be resolved soon and that the board would take over the school building in time for the re-opening of school by Jan 9, 2009.

It will have an enrolment of about 500 students. The school will be able to accommodate up to 1,700 students when fully utilised.

It replaces the old and dilapidated school buildings right in the heart of state capital next to Kuching’s oldest Chinese temple.

The land for the old school building belongs to the Kuching Chinese Charitable Trust, which also owns the adjacent temple land.

What is Ting's agenda?

The latest development surrounding the new Chinese school project has come at a time when Supp is preparing to hold its triennial delegates conference (TDC) in Kuching. The TDC is scheduled for Dec 13-14.

george chan hong nam It is likely to be brought up at the party conference and rivals could use that issue to embarrass Chan ( right ) and try to force him to step down.

“For a man with immense wealth, being owed a paltry RM3 million is nothing, so many people think there is more than meets the eyes,” commented an opposition politician.

Ting might have tried to use his contributions to the party as a leverage but the party might not have acquiesced to his requests or demands.

A Chinese school board of management member, who asked not to be identified, acknowledged that Ting might have another agenda.

“Whatever it is, if this matter is not resolved amicably, the Chinese community will blame Supp.”

Sarawak PKR Stampin division leader See Chee How told Malaysiakini that this episode is all part of the Chinese dilemma over the question of education in the country.

Chinese primary schools are all government-aided schools where the government finances the school administration and the salaries of teachers.

The land on which the schools are built does not belong to the government but the school boards of management have to raise money for the construction, repair and maintenance of school buildings.

Often, they are dependent on generous tycoons like Ting Pek Khiing to partly sponsor any major projects for their schools.

It looks like this time, Ting has become one unhappy sponsor. Why? Kuchingites are still trying to find out.