Latest news with #ChowKonYeow
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Penang allocated RM30 mln to Tamil schools, Punjabi education centres
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has allocated more than RM30 million to Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), kindergartens, and Punjabi education centres since 2009. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that RM2.42 million was distributed this year alone, demonstrating the state's dedication to equitable education under the Penang2030 vision and Malaysia MADANI principles. 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
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Penang allocated over RM30 mln to Tamil schools, Punjabi education centres
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has allocated more than RM30 million to Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), kindergartens, and Punjabi education centres since 2009. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that RM2.42 million was distributed this year alone, demonstrating the state's dedication to equitable education under the Penang2030 vision and Malaysia MADANI principles. 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
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Penang Allocated Over RM30 Mln To Tamil Schools, Punjabi Education Centres
GEORGE TOWN, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Penang government has approved over RM30 million in allocations to Tamil national-type schools (SJKT), kindergartens and Punjabi education centres statewide since 2009. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this includes RM2.42 million disbursed this year alone, reflecting the state's commitment to strengthening Penang's education ecosystem equitably and inclusively, in line with the Penang2030 vision and Malaysia MADANI values. He said, of the total, RM1.78 million was channelled to SJKTs via Parent-Teacher Associations, RM268,100 to 14 Tamil school-affiliated kindergartens, and RM40,000 each to three Punjabi education centres. 'For the past 16 years, the Penang government has consistently provided special financial assistance to SJKTs and Punjabi education centres. 'While the amount may not be large, it reflects the state's genuine concern in supporting Tamil education institutions, particularly in addressing funding challenges for small- to medium-scale repairs,' he said. Speaking to reporters after presenting mock cheques to 28 SJKTs and Punjabi Education Centres at Komtar today, Chow said the allocations were not only for upgrading physical facilities but also to sustain and strengthen vernacular education in the state. Also present at the event was State Housing and Environment Exco Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, who also chairs the Penang Tamil Schools Special Committee. Chow noted that the numerous infrastructure upgrades and educational programmes have helped produce not only academically excellent students but also disciplined and competitive individuals. Meanwhile, Sundarajoo said the state government's firm commitment has led to significant progress in Tamil schools, particularly in infrastructure, with most schools now equipped with basic facilities.
Malaysian Reserve
7 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
PWSC implements urgent measures to mitigate water supply issues
GEORGE TOWN — Penang Water Supply Corporation (PWSC) has implemented immediate measures to reduce disruptions and low water pressure during peak hours in several areas across the state, particularly in Seberang Perai Selatan (SPS), amid the current hot weather. Its chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said the company's move to optimise its pipeline system, including valve adjustments, to channel more water to affected areas, has helped shorten the duration of interruptions. Currently, consumers experience low water pressure during the peak hours of between 6 pm and 11 pm, but efforts are in progress to reduce the disruption to just two to three hours daily. 'July and August are the most challenging months due to higher demand and usage during the hot season, especially with ongoing development projects. 'During peak hours, some 3,000 to 4,000 consumer accounts, mostly in SPS, are affected by low pressure, and we've even received complaints of complete supply loss for three to five hours,' he told reporters at the Air Itam Dam today. He was speaking after officiating the Auxiliary Police Hub of Perbadanan Bekalan Air Holdings Bhd, launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. Also present was Penang Acting police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin Pathmanathan said that any further increase in water pressure could raise the level of non-revenue water, including the risk of leaks and burst pipes, as parts of the piping system in the affected areas are more than 50 years old. He noted that two major projects have been approved as long-term solutions for SPS. The first is the Sungai Kerian Water Treatment Plant project, with a capacity of 114 million litres per day (MLD), which is already underway and expected to be completed within 14 to 18 months. 'The second is a new 50 MLD Dissolved Air Flotation water treatment module at Sungai Kerian, which was recently approved by the board of directors and is expected to be completed within 12 to 14 months,' he said. Affected areas in SPS include Sungai Bakap, Nibong Tebal, Jawi, Simpang Ampat, Bukit Tambun, and Batu Kawan. Other impacted locations are Bukit Penara and Balik Pulau in the Southwest District, as well as several parts of Seberang Perai Tengah. — BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Urimai threatens legal action over ban of non-Penangite traders
Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow had said traders from outside Penang were not banned, but allowed to organise Indian-related sales fairs between April and June. GEORGE TOWN : A former Penang assemblyman says he will consider taking legal action against the state government over a policy barring out-of-state Indian traders from organising fairs. Urimai secretary Satees Muniandy said the move to restrict traders was unconstitutional and discriminatory, noting that the Federal Constitution prohibits discrimination by public authorities based on place of residence or business. 'Should the state continue to ignore these calls, Urimai will pursue every legal and democratic avenue to overturn this unjust rule that unfairly targets Indian traders and consumers,' the former Bagan Dalam elected representative said in a statement. Last Friday, FMT reported that local government enforcement officers drew flak after a video showing them taking action against stallholders at a trade fair in Bukit Mertajam went viral. In a now-deleted TikTok video shared by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), enforcement officers were seen issuing compound notices to traders selling sarees and other Indian-themed goods. The officers were also heard describing the event, held earlier this month, as illegal, while traders were told that they were in violation of two rules – they were not Penang residents, and they were selling 'Indian-themed items' outside the allowed period. The council's actions were, however, in line with a state policy, currently implemented by the two city councils, that restricts Indian trade or sales fairs organised by non-Penang traders in a bid to protect local businesses. Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow has since defended the policy, saying it was introduced more than five years ago after the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce raised concerns that traders from outside the state were affecting the incomes of local businesses. He said traders from outside Penang were not banned, but allowed to organise Indian-related sales fairs between April and June. MBSP also maintained that the policy was not racially motivated and that cultural trade fairs were still permitted outside of the restricted period, subject to guidelines. However, Satees today said that the broader ban was hurting both traders and consumers by reducing competition and limiting access to culturally significant and affordable goods. 'This is an anti-consumer rule. It restricts choice and inflates prices. Satees asked the state to reveal how many actual traders had complained and accused the state of kowtowing to a small group of textile businesses. He also called on the federal government, particularly law and institutional reforms minister Azalina Othman Said, to advise Penang to review the policy in line with constitutional principles.
