MCA VICE-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng has clarified that he was simply asking Lim Guan Eng to explain if he had told SJK(C) Kuek Ho Yao to change its name in order to receive a RM4 mil government allocation when Lim was finance minister during Pakatan Harapan’s 22-month tenure.
Lim had issued a statement earlier today saying that he had instructed his lawyers to file a defamation suit against Tan and MCA-linked newspaper The Star for false allegations concerning the UMLand Seri Austin School which was named after prominent Johorean businessman Tan Sri Kuek Ho Yao.
“I would like to remind Lim Guan Eng [that] the rakyat has the right to information [and] to know the truth. He should respond to media news reports and not just let them pass,” Tan said in a statement.
“The Bagan MP should directly respond to the question raised, that is whether the allocation of RM4 million to SJK(C) Kuek Ho Yao during his term of office came with the condition that the said Chinese primary school changes its name instead of intimidating others by issuing a statement to prevent others from asking questions.”
According to Tan, the vernacular school in Johor is an issue of concern to those who value Chinese education not only because it is a newly-constructed Chinese primary school but also because it is named after a philanthropist.
“Why does Guan Eng not allow others to pose questions?” he asked.
Tan went on to explain that he first questioned Lim and former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching about the school on Feb 28 after nominations were over for the Johor state polls.
“However, it is only today, eight days later, that he suddenly lashed out at a report in The Star by giving The Star and I 24 hours to withdraw the statement and apologise,” Tan said.
“If he truly has concern for Chinese primary schools, just respond to my questions. There is no need to dodge.”
In Lim’s statement this morning he said that during the 22 months of the Pakatan Harapan administration, he had allocated RM43 mil to 26 Chinese primary schools to be built through Teo, adding that the allocations were given unconditionally by the Finance Ministry. – March 9, 2022
