SRJK (C) Chung Shan needs to relocate due to airport expansion

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A PRIMARY school near the Penang International Airport has asked to be relocated after the board of directors found that the present site is no longer suitable for studying in.

SRJK (C) Chung Shan, located on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, is asking to be moved because of the ongoing airport expansion project involving an engineering warehouse to be built behind the school.

National Unity and Integration Department field officer Por Joo Tee said the school board viewed the area as no longer suited for education as the development would interfere with the pupils’ studies.

“The board has identified a 1.86ha plot of land near a housing project on Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Sungai Ara, as the school’s new premises. It is well suited for the school because there’s a booming population there.”

Por is also MCA Bayan Baru division organising secretary.

School board secretary Teh Kim Chuan said the land belonged to the state government after the housing developer had handed it over for educational purposes.

“The land of about 4.6 acres is suitable for our school as the size of the area is almost the same as what we have now.

“But the school board of SRJK (C) Aik Hua on Muntri Street has also asked for the same plot for its relocation. We have asked the board to back down on their request as our plight is more urgent,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Too near the airport: (from left) Por having a discussion with the PTA chairman Lim, school board chairman Khor, MCA Bayan Baru division chairman Tan and school board secretary Teh at SRJK (C) Chung Shan on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas

Among those present were MCA Bayan Baru division chairman Tan Lai Theng, school board chairman Khor Ah Chew and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Lim Boon Choon.

Meanwhile, Penang International Airport senior manager Mohd Arif Jaafar said the warehouse would be used as a maintenance depot for vehicles operating at the airport.

“The piling work was done over the recent school holidays to avoid disturbing the pupils.

“The expansion cannot be avoided as the airport needs more facilities to cater to the people,” he said when contacted.

SRJK (C) Chung Shan was built in 1951 on a piece of land donated by the late millionaire Yeap Chor Ee while the building was built by the late Aw Boon Haw, a philanthropist, who founded the famous Tiger Balm company.

The school now has about 300 pupils.