Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said if the Chinese community applies for land allocations to build more Chinese schools, the state government will consider in accordance with the existing Education Act.

“If there is such a need in that place, the environment is suitable which is not risky, not within an industrial area and at the same time, the (federal) government has such a school building plan, then the state government will consider the application,” he added.

Being asked whether the state government will allocate fixed subsidies for Chinese independent schools, Mohammad Nizar said he could not give a certain answer at the moment as other than Chinese independent schools, there are other private schools included Malay and Tamil schools in Perak.

He said even if the state government wishes to provide assistance, it must first understand its financial status and should not simply make any appropriation.

He appealed to philanthropists who are funding these private schools to keep providing help as this is a noble act.

This does not mean that the state government will not help Chinese independent schools at all. The state government will study what kind of assistance can be provided to them, it is not necessarily in terms of money or materials, said Mohammad Nizar.

He added that besides of private schools, many public schools are not in good condition either. Thus, priority will be given to these public schools. (Sin Chew Daily)