KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today admitted that there “little Napoleons” in his administration who are trying to block the development of more Chinese schools in the country.
However, the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition chairman gave his assurance that the government will not give in to this faction but will proceed with its plans to build 10 more Chinese vernacular schools as announced previously.
“I have approved Chinese schools in the past. Don’t say because of election I sanctioned additional schools.
“It’s not about the election, it’s about the needs of the Chinese community.
“I agree there are little Napoleons trying to block (the construction of the Chinese schools) but the decision of the government is clear,” Najb said to thunderous applause and cheers from delegates during his opening speech at the MCA’s annual general meeting here.
The prime minister added that the additional 10 Chinese schools will be able to take in enough students for the next 10 to 15 years.
“When we sanction the schools, of course we sanction it with funding. Once it’s ready to be build, then we approve the funds.
“Now we are identifying sites. After that we need to do site clearance, then there is the applications [for funds], then we approve the funds,” Najib said, rebutting the DAP, which he claimed had questioned if the schools would receive funding.
*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article contained an error that has since been corrected. The prime minister had announced plans for 10 more Chinese schools ahead of the Budget 2018 tabling and not as reported earlier.
