KUALA LUMPUR: The Sarawak United Association of Chinese School Boards of Management (Sarawak Dong Zong) has agreed to transfer the permits of closed Chinese primary schools in the state to West Malaysia.

However, the Ministry of Education, state education department and Chinese primary schools are still required to work together to start a new school using such a permit.

The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) Chairman Datuk Tan Yew Sing said in an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily that six Chinese primary schools were closed in Sarawak and there were no requests to reopen the schools.

However, the permits of these schools are still retained after five years.

“The Sarawak Dong Zong agrees that if West Malaysia needs a permit for a Chinese primary school, the school permits in Sarawak can be transferred to West Malaysia,” he said, adding that the procedure requires the state education department to approve and the Ministry of Education be informed.

The Ministry of Education is positive toward such an arrangement, Tan said.

Dong Zong accepts the merger of primary schools or relocation of schools due to dwindling school population, he said.

Sarawak has many underpopulated schools with fewer than 10 pupils each, and six schools have so far been closed.

Such an arrangement will ensure that the number of Chinese primary schools in Malaysia will remain.

Starting a Chinese primary school requires funds, land and a person to take charge of the construction and fund raising to build the school, Tan said.

Citing the example of SJK(C) Kheow Bin in Batu Caves, where a fund-raising campaign has been initiated to pay for RM6.17 million of fees to extend the lease of a commercial land next to the school, Tan said the land dispute was resolved amicably through constructive communication.

He stressed that constructive communication was the key to resolving disputes and issues.

Former Selangor state executive councilor Datuk Teng Chang Khim, who used to be critical of the state government, has proposed a feasible plan to resolve the land dispute faced by Kheow Bin, he said.

“As long as we have the opportunity to express our stand, those willing to listen will pay attention to us, and for those pretending to sleep, you can never wake them up,” he said.