Funds for Jinjang school to upgrade its facilities

SMK Jinjang in Kuala Lumpur has received a donation of RM50,000 for the purpose of upgrading its school facilities and conducting maintenance works. The Kepong MP’s office made the donation in response to a complaint from a nearby residents’ association regarding a clogged drain at the school that resulted in flash floods in the area.

The clogged drain has been causing issues for nine years, according to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng. The flow of water is obstructed by the tree roots beside the drain, leading to stagnant water that can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Lim immediately reported the issue to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) upon receiving the complaint from the residents’ association.

DBKL has indicated that they will hire contractors to remove the tree and repair the drain through a tender process. However, the tender is still pending and has not been initiated yet. Lim urges Kepong residents to promptly notify his office about problems such as potholes and broken drains, ensuring swift action will be taken.

Lim (in blue) inspecting the clogged drain outside SMK Jinjang.

Lim also calls on the government to streamline the bureaucratic process when schools report damaged facilities. He emphasizes the importance of swift action in providing necessary funds and aid to schools. Many contractors and developers are willing to undertake repair or maintenance projects, but the complicated procedures involving multiple ministries and government departments discourage them.

In addition to the drainage issue, SMK Jinjang urgently requires funding for the repair of a school building damaged during the movement control order due to a storm. A total of 14 classrooms in the building suffered damage and remain unusable to this day. The Education Ministry has allegedly promised to allocate funds for the rebuilding of the affected building by the end of the year. Lim has been persistently requesting officials from the ministry to assess the damage over the past three months. If no action is taken by the year’s end, he plans to elevate the issue in Parliament.