School's move yet to take off

The Star

3 days ago

In limbo: An aerial view of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah in Bayan Lepas, Penang, with SJK(C) Chung Shan in the foreground and the Penang International Airport runway visible in the background. The-74 year-old school is supposed to be relocated to make way for the expansion of PIA. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
After 12 years, still no word on relocation to make way for airport
GEORGE TOWN: Since 1951, a primary school has served as a landmark in Bayan Lepas here, right next to the airport.
It has since seen the airport grow from little more than an airstrip to the bustling international gateway it is now.
Then, 12 years ago, SJK(C) Chung Shan was told it would have to move to make way for the airport's expansion project.
Disappointed as they were, the school authorities agreed.
But more than a decade later, they are still waiting for news of the move. The uncertainty is rankling.
The school's Board of Governors chairman Tan Lai Theng said that in May, they contacted the Transport Ministry to remind them about the verbal understanding that the school would only relocate once a new building at a 3.5acre (about 1.4ha) site in Jalan Bukit Ayun not too far away is ready.
'All the necessary documents have been submitted to the southwest district land office but no official approval has been received.
'Some people have asked us about the school's relocation but we don't have the answer,' he added.
The school's present site falls within the expansion zone of a RM1.55bil mega project which is aimed at increasing the airport's annual passenger capacity from 6.5 million passengers to 12 million passengers by 2028.
After many delays, work on the PIA expansion project started in end 2024.
Tan said they were first informed that the school had to move out in 2013.
Seven years later, the state government sent them a letter on the relocation.
'We met with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad together with representatives from the Transport Ministry.
'Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow then granted us the plot of land in Jalan Bukit Ayun about 2km away.
'Until now, no date has been given on our relocation,' he said.
Tan said construction of the new building in Jalan Bukit Ayun has yet to begin.
'I understand that the land title conversion still ongoing,' he said.
A parent who wished to be known only as Chee urged the authorities to make a decision quickly.
'It has been so long. A school relocation can affect parents and the school's staff especially in terms of logistics and transportation. It could also affect new intake,' she said.
The 46-year-old housewife has a daughter and a niece studying at the school.
The 74-year-old school, built on land donated by the late tycoon Yeap Chor Ee and constructed by philanthropist Aw Boon Haw of Tiger Balm fame, is now operating as usual.
While the school has yet to move, the PIA expansion project remains on schedule for completion in June 2028.
State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital chairman Zairil Khir Johari confirmed that the Work Package 1 (WP1) – involving air traffic control and related buildings – was already 47% completed.
'Work Package 2, which involves the apron and taxiway upgrades, has surpassed 11%, while the tender process for the third package involving terminal expansion is currently under review by the MAHB,' he said.
Penang Tourism chairman Wong Hon Wai said the expansion project was key to accommodating an expected surge in visitors during Visit Malaysia 2026, with Penang targeting over eight million passenger movements.
'From January to June this year, PIA recorded 3.79 million passenger movements – a 5.43% rise from the same period last year,' he said.