The relocation of SJK (T) Midlands in Shah Alam from I-City to a three-acre plot of land that was earmarked for recreational purpose in Section 7 has stirred controversy.

Shah Alam MIC Youth leader and political bureau chairperson M Saravanan today demanded to know what the original piece of land in I-City will be used for.

“What has happened to the land in I-City?” he asked.

According to M Saravanan, the previous state government had allotted four acres of land with freehold title in I-City, Shah Alam, for the school.

He alleged that the Pakatan state government had sold the land to a third party based on information received from the school administration.

“Why was the school not informed that the land in I-City was sold to a third party?”

I-City is a RM1.5 billion project to build an advanced township in what was once Ladang Midlands, a plantation estate.

Residents in the estate have been relocated by the developer to Section 7, while the original plan was for a new building to replace the wooden structures of the old Tamil school in I-City.

The new piece of land in Section 7 for the school is part of a seven-acre plot that was meant to be a recreation park.

According to Saravanan, the Shah Alam City Council will hold a public referendum to obtain feedback from Section 7 residents regarding the school. A hearing will be held on Nov 11.

Saravanan is however certain that Section 7 residents would oppose the relocation of the school as it is a Malay-majority area.
The school is at present temporarily located in a one-storey building in another area of Section 7.

School amidst factories?

In an immediate reaction, Health, Estate Workers, Poverty and Caring Government exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar said that the land for the Tamil school in I-City is not suitable as it is located in the midst of factories.

“Do you want the school to be built in an industrial area?”

He believed that the local council will be able to get support from Section 7 residents as a park will also be built along with the school.

Asked on the possibility of residents opposing the plan, he said that a preliminary inquiry held two months ago did not indicate any opposition from the residents.

Xavier also denied the claim that the land in I-City had been sold to a third party.

“MIC will definitely say everything is wrong. Why are they inciting racial hatred? They are no different from those in Umno who stopped the construction of a temple in Section 23,” Xavier countered MIC.