DEVELOPERS in Penang may be required to build public schools as a condition for development approval, with the state government seeking to ensure that educational facilities keep pace with population growth and urban development.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the construction of SJKC Heng Ee in Sungai Tiram and SJKT Rajaji in Air Itam was among the specific conditions imposed on Ideal Gim Venture Sdn Bhd for its proposed development.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new SJKC Heng Ee building today, he said the State Planning Committee had approved the developer’s appeal on June 6, 2023, subject to the construction of both schools at designated locations.
“I would like to emphasise that the construction of these two schools is not an initiative separate from the development project. Rather, it is a specific obligation imposed through the decision of the State Planning Committee,” said Chow, who turns 68 today.
Chow said the decision reflects the state government’s position that development projects must take public interests into account, particularly by ensuring adequate educational facilities for local communities.
“This approach is consistent with the principles of sustainable urban planning, which seek to ensure that physical development and economic growth are balanced with the provision of public facilities and the social needs of the community,” he said.
He added that the state government has guidelines requiring a four-acre school site for every 1,250 housing units in residential developments.
Developers can fulfil the requirements by surrendering school land, making financial contributions for land that is not surrendered, or constructing a fully equipped school on a reserved school site handed over to the state government.
For the Heng Ee project, Chow said the state government had allocated 12 acres of land in Sungai Tiram to the school’s board of governors in 2013.
About eight acres had been used for SMJKC Heng Ee Bayan Baru Branch, which began operating in 2017, while the remaining four acres would accommodate the new SJKC Heng Ee building.
Planning permission for the primary school’s three-block development, comprising classrooms, administrative facilities, laboratories, workshops, a canteen and an assembly hall, was approved on May 24, 2023. Its building plans were approved on July 24, 2025.
As part of the compliance mechanism, the State Planning Committee also stipulated that the Certificate of Completion and Compliance for the proposed private or international school within the related development could only be released after both SJKC Heng Ee and SJKT Rajaji had been completed. The Penang Island City Council will oversee compliance.
Looking back, Chow said Penang’s first Chief Minister, the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, had officiated at the opening of the Heng Ee school building on Macalister Road, George Town, in 1962.
“Today, 64 years later, we are witnessing another important milestone with the construction of the school’s new building in Sungai Tiram, in the Southwest District,” he said.
Chow said the state government has also supported Chinese schools through its institutionalised funding policy, introduced in 2009 to help improve school facilities.
“Education is the foundation of development for Penang and the country. The state government has always placed great importance on education and recognises the contributions of schools from all streams in nurturing talent,” he said.
He added that the state government has worked with the Education Ministry and school authorities to facilitate school relocations, including through land allocations and development approval conditions requiring schools to be built.
Chow said several school relocation and construction projects are under way to meet the needs of Penang’s growing communities.
Chow expressed appreciation to Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh for their continued commitment to addressing the needs of schools in Penang.
He also thanked the Heng Ee Board of Governors, building committee, alumni and members of the public who had contributed to Chinese education, expressing hope that the new school building would be completed soon and continue to nurture talent for Penang and the country.
Meanwhile, Wong said the new SJKC Heng Ee building is expected to be completed in early 2028, with pupil intake scheduled to begin in September that year.
He said the school would comprise 18 classrooms, an administrative office, workshops and laboratories.
Wong expressed hope that the relocated school would attract more pupils than the 130 currently enrolled at the existing school on Macalister Road.
“The school has had 900 pupils before. If there is an average of 30 pupils per class in the new school, we have 540 pupils per session. And if there are two sessions, the number will rise to 1,080 pupils,” he said.
Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin announced a contribution of RM100,000 from his parliamentary allocation towards the new SJKC Heng Ee.
“Over the past four years, I’ve provided a sum of RM3.91 million to all schools, over 30 of them, in my constituency, averaging RM100,000 each,” he said.
Sim also highlighted the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET), saying industries need more talent in these fields.
Meanwhile, Heng Ee School Board chairman Tan Sri Datuk Alex Ooi Kee Liang called on companies, associations, alumni and the public to continue supporting the new campus, as funds are still needed for equipment and preparations.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the school, which has been educating generations of Penangites for 70 years.
“However, our work is not yet complete. Funds for equipment and preparations still need to be raised,” he said.
Ooi expressed his gratitude to the Education Ministry for its approval and guidance, the Penang government for its continued support, and the state and district education departments for their close cooperation.
He also thanked the elected representatives who had championed the school, as well as donors, alumni, parents, teachers and board members for their contributions towards making the new campus a reality.
“Heng Ee belongs to everyone who believes in education. What we are building here is the future of our children,” he said.
Also present at the groundbreaking ceremony were former Chief Minister and Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, State Deputy Speaker and Bayan Lepas assemblyman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz, Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Fahmi Zainol, Ideal Property Group executive director Puan Sri Joanne Phor, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, Ideal Property Group chief operating officer Datuk Connie Ang Chuan Im, state Education deputy director (Student Development Sector) Fadzil Sadikin, Southwest District Education officer Dr Mohd Siroj Abdul Lathiff, North East District Education officer Baharuddin Hashim, Heng Ee Board of Directors secretary Datuk Goh Boon Poh and SJKC Heng Ee principal Lee Chian Jau.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis