Hindraf Makkal Sakthi disputes the prime minister's claim that the government had spent RM340 million on Tamil schools over the past three years

PETALING JAYA: The government must account for the millions it claims to have allocated for Tamil schools as most of them are still in a dilapitated state, Hindraf Makkal Sakthi said.

It’s pro-tem secretary-general, P Uthayakumar, in a letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, said he would drag the government to court should the premier fail to account for his statement.

The NST quoted Najib in a report yesterday, saying that over the past three years, the government had spent RM340 million on Tamil schools nationwide.

Najib was reported to have said this at a Ponggal celebration at Kelab Kilat TNB, Kapar, on Sunday.
Citing examples, Uthayakumar said even the fully-aided Jalan Tajol Tamil School in Kota Tinggi has no canteen, a school field or a proper working toilet despite the “generous grant”.

“The St Helier Tamil School in Bahau was certified unsafe by the Works Ministry but nothing has been done till now to rectify it,” Uthayakumar said, adding that it even lacks classrooms.

He urged Najib to stop his political charades and shenanigans and address the problems faced by Tamil schools immediately.

“The prime minister must address the shameful state of Tamil schools in the country which are even denied basic amenities and facilities.

“Remember that Article 12 of the Federal Constitution provides that there shall be no discrimination in providing education out of the funds of a public authority,” he said.

Hindraf filed a civil suit against the government on Feb 9, among others, wanting it to convert all Tamil schools in Malaysia into fully-aided ones.