The Malaysian Insight

THE construction of a new primary school in Semenyih was decided long before the by-election for the state seat, said Maszlee Malik, dismissing talk it was approved as a sop to voters.

The education minister said the project was approved in October last year and earthworks started soon after.

“There will be some who say this is for the by-election, but it is not as we approved the project last year. It was delayed for six years, but we approved it soon after we took over,” Maszlee said after a visit to the site today in Taman Pelangi.

He said Taman Pelangi residents had been campaigning for a school for the last six years as their children had to travel long distances to school daily.

“I want to thank the residents’ association that asked for this project since 2012. They asked us to complete the project and we approved it in October as part of the delayed school projects.

“They previously had to travel to Bandar Rinching and Tasek Kesuma which is some distance from here. This will ease travelling for students in Taman Pelangi,” he said.

The school will cost RM20.7 million and will have an enrolment of some 700 students spread over 24 classrooms.

The school is expected to be completed in October 2020.

“I told the contractor we do not want any postponements or the project to be abandoned. We want the project to be completed, if possible before its due date,” he said.

Maszlee said under the 11th Malaysia Plan, Selangor residents stand to benefit from RM67.58 million in education allocations.

He said apart from a new secondary school in Bangi – SMK Bukit Mahkota (RM63 million) – additional facilities are being put together in three other schools in the state.

He said six new classrooms were being built for special needs students at SMK Bagan Terap in Sabak Bernam (RM3 million), and renovation work for two preschool classrooms were being done at SK Kebun Baharu in Tok Panglima Garang (RM1.4 million) and for one preschool classroom at SJK (T) West Country Timur in Bangi (RM180,000).

On a separate issue, Maszlee said that those planning to enroll for online degrees or certificate programmes should check with the Malaysian Qualification Agency to ensure the courses were accredited.

“To those who want to further their studies, refer to the MQA so that you are not cheated,” he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Marzuki Yahaya has had his academic credentials under scrutiny after a Facebook user claimed that he did not pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Cambridge.

The minister came out in defense of his qualifications, only to admit a day later that his degree was actually from United States-based Cambridge International University, which has been criticised for its legitimacy. – February 11, 2019.