THE land owner of the three convent schools in Penang will be meeting with the Penang government next month.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government has set July 19 to meet up with the Lady Superior of the Society of Saint Maur from the Sisters of The Infant Jesus Malaysia to further discuss the matter.
“I received a letter from the land owner, requesting for an appointment to meet me to discuss the issue and we have given them a date. We have fixed July 19,” Chow told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.
An English daily reported that three convent schools – SK Convent Light Street, SMK Convent Light Street and SMK Convent Pulau Tikus would be closed by 2024 and the land returned to the land owner, Sisters of The Infant Jesus Malaysia.
It was reported that all three schools are housed in heritage buildings.
Chow said the state did not know if there would be any application for development.
He added that it would be subjected to development control, concerning the heritage building and the World Heritage Site.
He said the state would appeal to the Education Ministry to consider relocating the schools within the Penang island or state if they are needed.
“If necessary, the state will look at lands that had been surrendered by developers (for the relocation).
“A discussion can be held between the state and the ministry to look at the possibility,” he added.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alissala Thian