Historic Tamil school faces flooding risk

SJK (T) Ladang Ampar Tenang, a school deeply rooted in a century-long history, and its neighboring housing settlement face the imminent threat of flooding due to ongoing construction activities sanctioned by the Sepang Municipal Council. The school and housing area were established 15 years ago after the fragmentation of plantations, displacing numerous former plantation workers who were resettled.

The focal point of the issue is a field situated in front of the school, which has been a subject of contention for nearly 15 years. The school’s management has persistently sought ownership of this valuable land to benefit the children and youth in the area. Currently, a portion of the field is being utilized by nearby construction, resulting in the excavation of nearly 3 meters of land.

Dato’ V. Gunalan, Chairman of School Management, expressed frustration, stating, “It has been 15 years of protest. The reason we protest is for this Tamil school to get hold of this field so that it can be of good use to the children and youngsters that live here. Because it is a good field, in this whole locality, there is none like it. We are working very hard so that this field can be given to the Tamil school.”

Addressing the impending flood risks

Adding to the concerns, Senator Dato’ Nelson Ranganathan, head of the educational faction of MIC, highlighted the potential flooding risks associated with the ongoing construction. He pledged to engage in talks with Selangor Menteri Besar, Amirudin Shari, to address the issue from the operational side. Senator Ranganathan emphasized that without proper safety precautions, the construction poses a serious threat to the neighborhood, leaving residents vulnerable.

Moreover, there has been a complaint about the construction work encroaching upon the field without adequate fencing or barriers. This lack of safety measures is particularly concerning, as it poses a potential hazard to the children attending the school.

Residents and school officials are hopeful that dialogue with the authorities will yield a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the longstanding Tamil school and its neighboring settlement.

Source: Bernama