
Penang allocated RM30 mln to Tamil schools, Punjabi education centres
Chow explained that RM1.78 million was allocated to SJKTs through Parent-Teacher Associations, RM268,100 to 14 Tamil kindergartens, and RM40,000 each to three Punjabi education centres. 'For the past 16 years, the Penang government has consistently provided financial aid to these institutions. While the amount may not be large, it reflects our genuine concern in supporting Tamil education, especially for minor repairs,' he said.
Speaking after presenting mock cheques to 28 SJKTs and Punjabi education centres at Komtar, Chow emphasised that the funding supports both infrastructure upgrades and the sustainability of vernacular education. State Housing and Environment Exco Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, who chairs the Penang Tamil Schools Special Committee, also attended the event.
Sundarajoo highlighted the progress in Tamil schools, noting that all 28 institutions now have smart boards and complete IT infrastructure. 'The state government's commitment has significantly improved facilities, ensuring students receive quality education,' he said. - Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Protests erupt over electoral roll ‘clean-up'
Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ and R. ARAVINTHAN AN estimated 6.5 million voters risked being removed from the electoral roll of India's Bihar state, Malaysia Nanban reported. These numbers included 2.2 million deceased voters and 3.5 million people who had migrated or could not be traced. Bihar is one of the most populous states in India with nearly 131 million people. Its electorate has about 78.9 million names. The latest clean-up exercise is done by the Election Commission of India, which is undertaking a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to verify and digitise the electoral roll. The exercise involved around 400,000 volunteers, 150,000 agents of recognised political parties, 98,000 booth officers and thousands of election officers. Other voters who risked being kicked out from the electoral roll are the 700,000 people who had registered in multiple locations. The move, which could affect up to 9% of the state's electorate, has triggered nationwide protests, besides being challenged in the Supreme Court. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)


The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
Rakyat air their concerns
Exercising their right: Protesters gathering during the Turun Anwar rally at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Crowds gathered at five major points in the capital city, calling for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as Prime Minister as they voiced their discontent over his leadership. Despite the rain and haze, the demonstrators grouped at Sogo shopping mall, Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad and Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru before marching to Dataran Merdeka. The grievances at the Turun Anwar rally yesterday ranged from 'dishonoured promises' to taxes, and what they deemed were failed reforms and political intimidation by the government. Chants of 'Turun Anwar' were heard in Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil and Chinese. Among those who addressed the rally was former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He challenged Anwar to take him to court if he is wrong in the Batu Puteh issue. 'This country has courts, judges and public prosecutors. But Anwar did not use these,' he said. 'You are not a judge, you are a prime minister. You cannot decide who is guilty. Only the judges can determine whether I am wrong or not,' he said. Dr Mahathir spoke of how he had resigned from office when he lost the support of his party, not even the people. Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin accused Anwar of not being mindful to the plight of Malaysians. 'The value of the ringgit has dropped but the cost of goods has gone up,' he said. Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said the rally was an early signal that the Anwar administration would fall. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin warned that more assemblies would come. 'We do not want RM100, Anwar. We want Anwar to step down,' he said, referring to the cash aid announced on Wednesday. PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said they had gathered 'to take down a leader who has not fulfilled his promises'. Among the attendees was restaurant manager Mohd Amri Ismadi, who drove from Ipoh. 'Everyday has been a struggle, especially in recent years. We are expected to tighten our belt. 'Do we have to cut corners until we lose what remains of our modest life?' said Mohd Amri, who is in his 30s. Store keeper Shamsul Safawi, 55, who attended the rally despite being unwell, said he wanted to add to the show of the people's discontent. 'What is most upsetting is the empty promises. I feel it is best he steps down and let other leaders take over, ' he said.


The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
PIFC proposal under discussion with federal authorities
GEORGE TOWN: The proposed establishment of the Penang International Financial Centre (PIFC) is currently at the discussion stage with the Federal Government, Bank Negara and the Securities Commission. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the think tank, Penang Institute, was given the role to initiate the expression of interest process last March, and the results had already been presented to the state Cabinet. 'As a long-term plan to sustain the state's continuous growth, the proposed PIFC project will be realised, which includes the development of a site measuring almost 100 acres (40.46 hectares) and involves various financial facilities and supporting infrastructure. 'This includes fund management, an international convention centre, high-end banking services, a fintech free trade zone and a logistics hub,' he said in his speech at the investiture of the state awards, medals and honours at Dewan Seri Pinang here yesterday. The ceremony, which was held in conjunction with Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib's 84th birthday celebration, saw 280 individuals receiving awards, medals and honours. In the Bernama report, Chow said PIFC aims to attract new capital to strengthen the semiconductor sector in the Northern Corridor, in line with the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 and the National Semiconductor Strategy. Meanwhile, he said the Sedusun Tech Valley project by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority is currently at project site clearance stage, and is expected to be fully completed in the first quarter of 2027. The Chief Minister said it is an effort to make Penang an 'Agricultural Silicon Valley' that focuses on the smart farming industry towards increasing agricultural yields optimally compared to traditional methods. In addition, Chow said the state government is giving priority to addressing the people's mobility, including an application under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) involving the upgrading of the federal route from Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar to a four-lane dual carriageway. 'It is also seen to solve the missing link issue that has long affected the smooth flow of traffic in the southern part of the island, and the state government is also awaiting the implementation of the Juru-Sungai Dua Elevated Expressway project scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year,' he said. Chow also expressed hope that more projects listed and presented under the 13MP requirements will receive the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.