C. Khor
Penang has broken ground on a new SJKC Heng Ee building in Sungai Tiram. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was among those present. It will have 18 classrooms and is due to take pupils in September 2028. A second school, SJKT Rajaji, is moving to Air Itam with 12 classrooms.
Meanwhile, the groundbreaking was held on 14 November. Chow said a developer must build both schools. Specifically, the State Planning Committee set that as a condition in 2023.
Here is what the new buildings include, how the developer condition works and who pays. However, no source gave a total construction cost. Therefore, the cost of both schools remains unclear.
SJKC Heng Ee groundbreaking and September 2028 target
In detail, the new SJKC Heng Ee will have 18 classrooms, an administrative office, workshops and laboratories. The three-block design also has a canteen and an assembly hall. Completion is expected in early 2028.
Pupils should start in September 2028. Currently, the school is at Macalister Road. However, it has about 130 pupils now. As a result, the move reflects poor conditions and falling enrolment, said Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry approved the relocation in June 2025. It had met the school’s board in August 2024. Overall, the new building can hold 540 to 630 pupils, depending on class size.
Moreover, the ministry has no objection to phase two and three applications if demand is good. It could also consider two sessions a day if enrolment passes 1,000. In addition, planning permission came on 24 May 2023. Building plans followed on 24 July 2025.
Developer condition behind SJKC Heng Ee and SJKT Rajaji
The State Planning Committee approved a developer’s appeal on 6 June 2023. The developer is Ideal Gim Venture Sdn Bhd. The approval was subject to building both schools. Chow described this as a specific obligation.
In addition, the committee will release a completion certificate only after both schools finish. The certificate is for a related private or international school. Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council oversees compliance. This ties the developer’s own project to the school work.
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Furthermore, Penang has a guideline of a four-acre school site for every 1,250 housing units. Developers have three options. They can surrender the land. They can pay for land they do not surrender. Otherwise, they can build a full school on a reserved site.
Wong also said the Education Ministry will help with paperwork once site and enrolment issues are settled. He said it is committed to streamlining approvals, especially for aided schools. However, he gave no new timeline.
SJKT Rajaji move and funding beside SJKC Heng Ee
SJKT Rajaji has operated for more than 70 years beside the Kaliamman Temple in Air Putih. Its new site is next to Sunshine Central in Air Itam. It sits beside SJKC Chiao Nan. In addition, the land covers 2.368 acres. Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said it is worth RM20 million.
The new school will have two storeys and 33,225 sq ft of built-up space. Specifically, it will have 12 classrooms. Likewise, about 150 pupils are expected at first, growing to 250 to 300. Still, construction was projected at two years.
On money, Chow said Tamil schools are partly aided. Likewise, they must raise their own construction funds. He said the state secured Ideal Property Group to build Rajaji fully. For Heng Ee, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin pledged RM100,000.
In short, SJKC Heng Ee and SJKT Rajaji will add 30 classrooms in Penang. Heng Ee is due in September 2028. Costs and the Rajaji opening date were not given.
Sashidaran Gunathevan
Maran Perianen
Sidhaarthan
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