THE Selangor government is going all out to mould the state into a regional centre for educational excellence.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the higher education landscape in the state had changed tremendously over the past year and with many private institutions located here, Selangor unquestionably possessed all the primary resources to achieve this objective.

“We want to take education beyond politics as these two components are independent of each other: politics must stay out of education. Our principal goal is to be associated with all educational institutions at all levels of implementation. We are working on it and will put forward our proposals to the Education Ministry,” he told reporters after launching the Sri Kuala Lumpur School (SRIKL) Charity Fiesta 2008 in the school grounds in Subang Jaya on Saturday.

Khalid said despite the political climate in the country, Selangor was still an attractive option for private education and it could be used as a tool to attract investments into the state..

 
VIP Participation: Khalid at one of the stalls at the charity fiesta. Watching him is Teresa (left)

“The state is above the rest of the country as far as education is concerned and we should use this to our advantage to create an educational environment that is beneficial to both the state and the country,” he said.

On the charity fiesta themed “The Magic of Sharing”, Khalid commended the organising committee for doing their bit for community service. The charity drive had begun with the musical Thumbelina in June.

Khalid said the charity fiesta and the upcoming golf tournament were all events that provided excellent opportunities for staff, parents and students to come together in the spirit of friendship and self-sacrifice to give a little something back to society in helping the less fortunate.

SRIKL Charity Fiesta 2008 organising committee chairman Hanif Othman Merican said their target was to raise RM400,000, which would be channelled to 10 charitable organisations in the Klang Valley.

The recipients are Faith, Hope and Love Charity Home in Overseas Union Garden, Rumah Orang Tua Seri Setia, Agathians Shelter Home, Welcome Community Home in Batu Arang, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat in Klang, House of Joy in Puchong, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Taman Megah, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal Selangor and Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Kurang Upaya Kirtarsh in Rawang.

“We are very confident of reaching the target. With the musical, a charity dinner, this charity fiesta and the upcoming golf tournament, coupled with the tremendous support received from members of the public, the charity drive will be a success,” added Hanif.

Thousands of people from all walks of life joined in the one-day Charity Fiesta to lend their support to the worthy cause.

Fun and laughter filled the venue as family and friends of the school community took part in the various games and treated themselves to the many gastronomic delights on offer.

Also present were Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, state senior executive councillor for Industry, Investment and Trade Teresa Kok and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president Datuk Adnan Md Ikhsan.