Friday January 6, 2006
Reprieve comes at the last minute
By DERRICK VINESH
derrickvinesh@thestar.com.my
BUTTERWORTH: A developer sent two excavators to demolish SJK(C) Sin Chung in Kepala Batas minutes after a Sessions Court here dismissed an appeal for a stay by the school management.
In the two hours before the school obtained a fresh stay from the Penang High Court, the school canteen, toilet and part of a storeroom were flattened.
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REDUCED TO TEARS: Eight-year-old SJK(C) Sin Chung pupils Mohd Nazran Yahaya (left), Mohamad Faizal Jamil and the latter’s mother Rosnah Said crying in Butterworth yesterday. — Bernamapic |
Two hours later, at about 1pm, the developer halted the demolition work after receiving the High Court order from Judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam.
The school was given an indefinite stay of execution to the 2003 order pending a judicial review.
Earlier, police escorted all 46 pupils and six teachers, including headmistress Sze Too Yu Ching, out of the school premises, while volunteers helped to shift out some school belongings.
Sessions Court judge Julie Lack said the school’s counsel failed to give an acceptable reason to set aside the 2003 court order.
Before giving her judgment, Lack gave both parties 30 minutes to discuss the matter.
She later also turned down an oral application by the school’s counsel for a stay of execution to the 2003 order.
Sze told reporters that classes would go on as usual at the school today until the matter was resolved, noting that the Seberang Prai Municipal Council would provide a mobile toilet unit in the interim period.
State Education Committee chairman Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon said while he was saddened by the Session's Court's decision, the people should respect the law and abide by the decision.
“I have asked the state Education Department to make the necessary arrangements for the school to operate at a nearby Chinese school in Kepala Batas,” he added.
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