KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should replace the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in any Cabinet reshuffle, for her dismal performance in addressing education issues, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Speaking at the 3rd General Assembly of the 30th MCA Central Delegates, Dr Wee said the Education Ministry has created “unprecedented” obstacles for Chinese primary school projects, and said dissatisfaction with the current minister was widespread.
Citing the long-delayed SJKC Kuek Ho Yao project in Johor, part of the “10+6” Chinese primary school package approved by Barisan Nasional on Oct 26, 2017, Dr Wee said there had been almost no progress since Pakatan Harapan came into power.
He said the school initially faced attempts to relocate the site, followed by the developer's refusal to build it.
MCA then worked with the state government to reclaim the original land and complete the necessary procedures at the state exco level, he added.
“Over the past few years, I have asked the current Education Minister about this issue eight times in Parliament, but never once received an answer.
"Instead, it even resulted in the minister slamming the table in anger,” he said.
Dr Wee said that although the minister later promised to finalise the remaining processes, the school building committee recently received a letter from the ministry instructing it to register with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“This is utterly baffling. We have handled so many Chinese primary school construction projects, and such a requirement is unprecedented and unimaginable,” he said.
He noted that the move contradicted long-established practice and the spirit of the Education Act.
“Section 53(3) of the Education Act 1996 clearly states that Chinese primary schools, whether government schools or government-aided schools, may establish a Board of Governors.
“Our longstanding practice is to set up a school-building committee to construct the school on behalf of the government.
"After the school is completed, the committee automatically becomes the Board of Governors and continues overseeing the school’s development. What is wrong with this arrangement?” he said.
Dr Wee also pointed out that when MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon was deputy education minister, the formation of the SJKC Kuek Ho Yao school-building committee had already been approved by the ministry.
“Thirdly, the construction of schools falls under the authority of the Ministry of Education, so why is there a need to involve the Registrar of Societies under the Home Ministry?
“In short, a practice that has worked perfectly fine for decades is suddenly being disrupted.
"Why is the Ministry of Education creating problems out of nothing? Why make things difficult for Chinese primary schools? Has the lesson from the Sabah state election not been painful enough?” he said.
Dr Wee then highlighted another case, involving SJKC Poay Chai, which was relocated from Singkir, Kedah, to Bukit Indah, Johor Baru and officially opened in June 2024.
He said the school, whose building committee is chaired by Wanita MCA chief Datuk Wong You Fong, recently received a notice from the ministry stating its intention to appoint an entirely new Board of Directors to replace the existing committee.
“This is unprecedented. For years, whenever MCA helped build new Chinese primary schools, the building committee would naturally transition into the Board of Directors once the school was completed.
“So why, after everything is settled and the school is already operational, is the ministry suddenly proposing to replace the board? Is there a political motive? I urge the ministry to explain.
“The public expected DAP leaders to deliver on school development, not to undermine it,” he said.
Given recent talk that the Prime Minister intends to reshuffle the Cabinet, Dr Wee appealed for Fadhlina to be transferred.
“The current minister is not competent and should not remain at the Education Ministry.
"This is the standard view among the majority of people on the ground, regardless of race or class.
“We need someone more steady, visionary, far-sighted and bold enough to carry out reforms to lead this crucial ministry that affects the country’s future.
“We hope the Prime Minister will seriously heed public sentiment - the power is in your hands. Please act,” he said.
Dr Wee said the Chinese community was not asking for special treatment, only equal treatment.
“As the Chinese community has long emphasised, we do not ask for special privileges - we only ask for fairness.
“Yet Pakatan, which came to power under the banner of fairness and reform, has not delivered genuine fairness after taking office.
"Instead, they have created even greater institutional injustices. How can the Chinese community not be angered?
“The Chinese community in Sabah has already voiced its dissatisfaction loud and clear. If the government continues to be stubborn, it will eventually be rejected by the people,” he added.
