Cheah (left) presenting a mock cheque for RM5mil to Lim (right) during the fundraising dinner.
Several million ringgit have been raised to build a multipurpose hall for SJK (C) Damansara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, thanks to contributions from businesses, assemblymen, MPs, and the Selangor government.
School board of governors deputy chairman JS Lim said SJK (C) Damansara was unable to organise many activities as it lacked a proper hall.
“SJK (C) Damansara is located in an alley with limited land, making the construction of the hall difficult and costly.
“We need over RM10mil to build the hall, and it has been a challenging journey to raise the funds,” he said during a fundraising dinner at SJK (C) Yuk Chai in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
From the dinner, a sum of RM1.118mil was raised.
“I believe donations from various parties can provide strong support to making the initiative a reality,” he said.
Lim said he hoped the hall’s construction, which started in 2022, would be completed by the year-end or early next year.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, who was also present, donated RM5mil to the fund.
Guests and donors striking gongs and 24 festive drums to mark the beginning of the charity concert and fundraising dinner for SJK (C) Damansara’s multipurpose hall. — Photos: CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
In his speech, Cheah said a multipurpose hall was essential to provide students with a well-rounded education that could nurture them into responsible and competitive citizens.
“A multipurpose hall allows students to take part in a extracurricular activities and sports events, while helping strengthen bonds with each other.
“Children deserve quality education.
“I want to do what I can to build an ecosystem to attract the younger generation to study and work to build the nation together,” added Cheah who is also SJK (C) Damansara board of governors chairman.
He said supporting Chinese education was important due to China’s growing global influence.
“I foresee China being the top economic power in the world in about 10 years,” he said.
“Hence, it is important for us to support Chinese education in Malaysia to shape a competitive generation.”
Also present was Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, who said the state government consistently supported Chinese schools in the state.
“This year, the state government allocated RM9mil to support 114 Chinese primary schools and four independent secondary schools.
“For SJK (C) Damansara, the state government donated RM80,000 this year.
“I am glad to see the multipurpose hall finally becoming a reality. This is proof that if we work hard together, we can turn dreams into reality,” said Jamaliah, who is also Bandar Utama assemblyman.
She pledged RM5,000 for the hall, adding that Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo would donate RM15,000.
Guests were entertained by various music and dance performances at the dinner organised by Sin Chew Daily and Hai-O Foundation.
Also present were Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, Sin Chew Daily communications, corporate and promotion manager Tan Kim Chuan, Chinese Embassy of Malaysia councillor Chang Shan and Beshom Holdings Bhd (formerly Hai-O Enterprise Bhd) managing director Tan Keng Kang.
