{
  "id": 5937499,
  "title": "Fadhlina pledges no SJKT closures as RM12.6m Sungai Bakap Tamil school project gets going after 17 years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/fadhlina-pledges-no-sjkt-closures-as-rm12-6m-sungai-bakap-tamil",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T08:04:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/06/fadhlina-pledges-no-sjkt-closures-as-rm126m-sungai-bakap-tamil-school-project-gets-going-after-17-years/234171"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Madani Government has assured that no Tamil vernacular schools will be closed as construction begins on a RM12.6 million replacement building for SJKT Sungai Bakap after a 17-year delay. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek emphasized that the focus would be on the development, maintenance, and enhancement programs for all schools, addressing community concerns about potential school closures. The RM12.6 million project, carried out by Yayasan Didik Negara and overseen by the Penang Education Department, is expected to be completed within 56 weeks and will feature six classrooms, special-purpose rooms, and additional facilities. The new site, located approximately 2km from the existing location, aims to provide improved educational amenities for pupils in the Sungai Bakap area. Fadhlina, a Nibong Tebal MP, expressed regret for the long wait due to implementation issues, financial constraints, and legal disputes that have plagued the project since 2009. Penang special committee chairman for Tamil schools, Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, highlighted the dilapidated condition of the current building and noted that the state government is targeting the construction of three Tamil vernacular school buildings this year, with SJKT Juru expected to begin before the end of the year.",
  "summary": "NIBONG TEBAL, Sept 6 — The government has assured that no Tamil vernacular school will be closed as construction f...",
  "key_points": [
    "Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek pledges no Tamil school closures.",
    "RM12.6m project for Sungai Bakap Tamil school begins after 17-year delay.",
    "New site to include six classrooms and additional facilities."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Fadhlina pledges no SJKT closures as RM12.6m Sungai Bakap Tamil school project gets going after 17 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/fadhlina-pledges-no-sjkt-closures-as-rm12-6m-sungai-bakap-tamil-5938648",
        "published": "2026-09-06T08:04:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}