PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim should intervene to save a Tamil school in Puchong from being forced to dismantle some of its buildings for a road widening project, said P Ramasamy today.

The chairman of the newly formed Indian-based party Urimai said so far the government has been silent on the issue involving SJK (T) Ladang Kinrara in Puchong which is under pressure from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and a developer to give way for road widening to reduce traffic congestion in their new residential development.

“It is still not too late for Prime Minister Anwar to intervene in the matter to stop the relocation of parts of the Tamil school.

“It might appear to be a small matter, but Anwar knows very well that the Indian would not take kindly to the relocation of the Tamil school,” Ramasamy said in a statement.

The former DAP leader also questioned Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s silence on the issue.

“If she wants she could easily instruct the DBKL not to touch the school.

“Would Zaliha have agreed to the relocation if it was a national school or huge government complex?”

The school has been involved in a dispute after it was revealed that DBKL and Fajarbaru Land Sdn Bhd had demanded the school hand over 3,000 sq ft of its compound for the expansion of Jalan Mas in return for a compensation of RM50,000.

The road expansion would mean that several of the school’s buildings, including a kindergarten and canteen, would have to be demolished, thus affecting the 700 students enrolled at the school.

It has been reported that the school has refused to hand over part of its land unless it was compensated properly. It also claimed that it was not informed earlier about the developer’s demand, which came through a letter on March 4 without any prior notification.

Fajarbaru Land has developed 1,604 units of Residensi Wilayah apartments on Lot 101895, Jalan Mas, Petaling district, Kuala Lumpur, which is adjacent to the school that is primarily located in Selangor.

The traffic impact assessment report submitted by the project’s consultant proposed that Jalan Mas be upgraded to four lanes due to the expected increase in traffic volume once the apartments are built.

DBKL said the proposal to upgrade Jalan Mas will involve the demolition of several structures built on road reserves, among them a temple and several buildings belonging to the school.

DBKL also said the Land and Mines Department and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MBSJ) have been instructed to identify suitable areas to relocate parts of the school.

Activists call for action

Meanwhile a group of activists also called for the authorities to take decisive action to ensure that the land of the school is preserved for the well-being of the pupils.

The group which gathered at the school today said the school with about 700 students had been in existence since 1946.

“We feel the DBKL should be sensible or compassionate as by allowing the developer to touch the school compound can lead to not only racial disharmony or public outcry but the pupils will suffer as a result,” they said in a statement today.

“We like to suggest to the local councils in this country to review their development approval policies so as not to allow high rise buildings built around schools or places of worship,” they added.

The activists also suggested that the road expansion is done at the other side of the project which is adjacent to the army camp. – June 27, 2024.