The Malaysian Insight

BOVINE excrement is amazing, not only do cattle produce it, humans do too.

That came to mind when the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur’s land and mines director was quoted as saying yesterday that Convent Bukit Nanas’s (CBN) lease application was not entertained because the government wanted to run the century-old school on its own.

Also, he was quoted as saying the government wanted to provide full aid to this school, which is run by the missionaries of the Society of St Maur, rather than the partial aid it provides now.

Now, why is this government education policy being announced by the Land and Mines director and not the Education Ministry itself? Is this policy just for this convent school or for all other missionary schools sitting on leased land?

Also, does the government have the funds to give full aid to this school, apart from providing the salaried teachers and the curriculum plus a small amount used for utilities and upkeep?

There have been enough people to point out that such policies should be deliberated and announced by the cabinet. No such thing happened from the time the Society of St Maur applied to extend the land lease in 2017. 

Not even now.

There must be a process, there must be transparency in this issue. Of course, it would be great if the government gave full aid to all schools notwithstanding their status as missionary schools or government schools.

But such generosity is not expected, especially at a time when Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin disclosed that public funds are low due to expenditure to combat the pandemic.

So, one can only presume any intent of fully paying for CBN is pure hogwash, or to be kosher: bovine excrement.

The facts as they stand are that government schools such as Victoria Institution (VI) rely on their old boys and parents to repair and renovate the school building. For that matter, the old boys and parents are the ones getting sports coaches for the school.

Or is the Education Ministry skint, and so the Land and Mines chap will chip in to pay for CBN and other schools in Kuala Lumpur?

Schools play an important function in our society, more so these schools that were founded and funded by the missionaries at a time when Malaya or Malaysia did not have the resources to run the schools themselves.

The country still doesn’t from the looks of premier schools such as VI.

After all, these schools, including VI, are the cradle and crucible of Malaysians who have contributed to society, just like any other school across the country.

Let’s be honest about the reasons not to renew CBN’s lease. Let’s also consider that the partnership between the Society of St Maur and the government has made CBN one of the better schools since 1899.

Otherwise, the land and mines director’s words are just a pile of poo and pong that will add further stink to a government that is losing public trust daily. Especially when the civil service has sat on this since 2017. – April 21, 2021.

* Jahabar Sadiq runs The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.