(From left) Rafidah, Ng, Razman and Helmy at the launch of the new assembly area. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
Corporates urged to help with repairs and upgrades at schools
SMK Subang Jaya in Jalan SS14/6, Selangor, has taken on a new look following recent infrastructure improvements to its assembly area.
The grounds, previously covered with premix, was damaged by years of water ponding.
The initiative to upgrade the surface with interlocking bricks was made possible with the help of Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng and Jeffrey Cheah Foundation.
“When there’s a need in the community, it is our duty to find corporations that have the ability to sponsor or donate,” said Ng.
“When the school first reached out to me about its plight, I suggested writing to Sunway Group to see what could be done.”
This, she said, led to Sunway Group’s development arm donating surplus materials for the resurfacing project.
“The group’s expertise and resources played an integral role in making this project a success, and I would like to thank Sunway Group for its support.”
SMK Subang Jaya Parent-Teacher Association president Helmy Izuddin Hashim said funding from corporations would help to further improve other parts of the school, such as the roof, electrical wiring and plumbing.
“I hope Sunway Group or other companies, in the area, will provide funding to help refurbish the school,” he said.
Ng said SMK Subang Jaya was not the only school in her constituency in need of aid.
“Now we are focusing on refurbishing the canteen at SK SS19, and looking at improvements for school halls in SK Dato’ Onn Jaafar, SJKC Tun Tan Cheng Lok and SJKT Tun Sambanthan in USJ 15.”
She hoped the infrastructure improvement at the school would be an inspiration for other corporations to help out schools in need to ensure a safer and better learning experience for students.
Sunway Group deputy executive chairman Tan Sri Razman Md Hashim said besides SMK Subang Jaya, the company had helped enhance eight other schools in Malaysia.
“Sunway as a group wants to do well, but we do not want to be a company that does not contribute back to the public,” he said.
“We strongly believe that one way of doing well is by doing good.”
SMK Subang Jaya headmistress Rafidah Rashid said she was grateful to Ng and the foundation for providing a new surface for the assembly area.
“These interlocking bricks will benefit the students as they no longer have to sit in discomfort during assemblies on wet mornings and other school activities,” she said.
The resurfacing project took less than a week to complete and is expected to accommodate the more than 900 SMK Subang Jaya students.
Rafidah said there were also plans to build a new structure above the assembly area to provide shade and cover, and the school was looking for funding.
Students Arissa Faizura Azhar and Natalia Zaharah Mohd Fitri, both 15, agreed that the assembly area was had become more student-friendly.
“Before this, we had to bear with the weather such as heat and water puddles when covering events and school activities for the school’s Multimedia Club,” Natalia told StarMetro.
“Things are now much more comfortable for us,” Arissa said.
