Tiong said this during an exclusive interview with the Borneo Post while on his way to attend the SNAP Annual General Meeting (AGM) for N36, Meluan, Julau yesterday.

He said that the proper proposal was only submitted to the Education Ministry somewhere in August this year, which it has to go through proper process before it could be approved by the end of the year, to enable it to start operation in early 2001.

Kai Dee School, the first proposed Chinese independent secondary school in Bintulu was established in Sibu decades ago. However, due to the shortage of students menacing to the closure of the school, it was later proposed to transfer to Bintulu by the Federation of Chinese Registered Associations (FCRA) here, since it had been a long wish of the local Chinese community here. 

As the MP here, Tiong expressed his utmost appreciation to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Education Minister and Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King, members of BN component parties  and local Chinese community leaders and those who concerns with Chinese education, especially FCRA here for tremendously contributed to the application of the school to be transferred to Bintulu. 

When asked to comment on his contribution to the cause, Tiong said at this point of time and as member of the Barisan Nasional, it is not worthy to claim for credit while at the same time blaming others for not contributing. 

What is most important, he said, is that the BN government had fulfilled its promise to the people. At the meantime, it also proves that government does not have ulterior motive to eliminate Chinese education as accusing by member of oppositions and Dong Jiao Zhong (DJZ).

Tiong revealed that the application made by the school management itself on April 27, 2000, while he received a letter from FRCA Bintulu on early August, seeking his assistance to highlight the matter to the Education Ministry.

Earlier before Tiong was elected as the MP here, he was acknowledged that it had been a long wish of the Chinese community here especially to those parents who wish to send their children to further their studies in Chinese stream.

To some poor families, he said it would be a extra burden to send their children to neighboring division during the time of economic downturn. 

In between these periods, Tiong said that he had written a few letters to the Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Badawi pertaining to the matter, which was replied later on September 12 this year to inform him that the matter had been referred to the Education Minister.

Likewise, he said similar letters were written to the Education Minister Tan Sri Musa Mohamad and Datuk Lau Hing Ding for similar purposes, adding that in such a case many people had contributed to the cause in one way or another.

Tiong also revealed that he will further dicuss the matter of Kai Dee School with the Education Minister in comming Monday to seek for the assistance to ensure the school will be in operation by the year of 2001.

When asked to comment on the Vision School, he said DJZ's efforts to help in shaping and preserving Chinese education has been become somewhat political.

Leaders of DJZ were giving fiery speeches at the LUNAS by-election, supporting and rallying the opposition and attacking the government.

Tiong said he planned a multi-pronged approach to explain on the government's intention to introduce the Vision School.

"I am planning to hold the dialogues in three stages and hopefully before the Chinese New Year," he added.

He further revealed that the first state of the proposed dialogue would be held between Chinese association and community leaders in Bintulu.

"However, the second stage will be with director of local Chinese schools management board while the third stage dialogue will be an open dialogue with all community members at Dewan Suarah here where everybody who has an opinion or sentiments he wants to express can do so freely"

Tiong felt DJZ did not consult the people first before making its final
decision to oppose Vision School.

He have always believed that there should be a mutual way traffic between DJZ and the people and between the people with the government.

He also believed everyone should be given equal chance to raise their opinions as long as their views are valid and sensible.
 
We will then take these views and present them to the ministry of education for final consideration, he added.

Meanwhile, during his speech after the launching of the SNAP Annual General Meeting for N36, Meluan, held at Rumah Budol Anak Engga, Nanga Entabai, Meluan, Julau, Tiong called for the community in the constituency to be united behind the Barisan Nasional for the sake of development.

He also called for the people to settle their problems in an amicable way, so as to avoid further misunderstanding amongst them. 

" What ever problem arises, be it social or political must be solved now, not during the election time. Otherwise, it will only bring disaster to you, Dato Sri told the people.

He also took the opportunity to call upon the successful Iban children to be always grateful to their parents by visiting them at the longhouse more frequently, or otherwise provide them with the financial assistance to enable them to sustain themselves financially. 

Dato Sri Tiong also advised the people not to listen to rumors mongers who only know how to go around talking bad about the government but cannot deliver the goods expected of them. He said that they should always be united under the Barisan Nasional's banner for the sake of development.  

At the end of his speech, Dato' Sri Tiong presented RM10,000 cash to Tuai Rumah Budol to assist him and his fellow longhouse folks in the completion of their newly built longhouse.

Another RM11,000 cash was donated to six Tuai Rumahs and longhouse  residents, whose longhouses were gutted by fire in seperate occassions over the past four years.
 
About 50 SNAP supporters from Bintulu, including several community chiefs accompanied Dato' Sri Tiong the function...END.