Latest developments as of 30 Jan 2009

Below are the latest developments from the past 2 weeks.

House hunting

The Al Hidayah teachers have viewed a bungalow house at No. 22, Jalan Tualang, Bangsar, which shows some promise. The house has a reasonable garden in front and a wide car porch which can accommodate two or three teachers’ cars. Inside on the lower level there is a large hall (an indoor play room), a small room (office), another small hall (library) with an adjacent narrow room (computer room). There are two kitchens, so one can be dining/art room, and the other can be teachers’/ibu’s room. Upstairs there are four rooms (classrooms) and a large hall (another classroom). With all the rooms, there is enough space for all the planned activities, and the asking rental is within budget.

The only problem is there are eight neighbours, and Al Hidayah would need to get all of them to agree with having a tadika in their midst.

If anyone has details of other properties available, especially in Damansara Heights, please do share.

Eviction protest

Al Hidayah has contact with a Special Officer to the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN), so they will be going to visit her for assistance. Insya’Allah the letters of support from parents would come in handy.

On Wednesday, 28 January 2009, Al Hidayah and a few of the parents had a meeting with the KP of DBKL and other officers. DBKL is unwilling to “force” their will upon the neighbours, and leave it to Al Hidayah to convince them to withdraw their objection. Al Hidayah will be approaching the Timbalan Pengerusi of the Damansara mosque to seek their assistance in mediating between us and Dato’ Mustafa.

Lastly, DBKL seems open to a request for an extension to the eviction deadline til the school holidays in June.

Alternative location

As briefed earlier, DBKL had suggested Al Hidayah use facilities at the sekolah agama next to the mosque. However, upon checking the facilities, the building is not suitable for Al Hidayah. That option is closed.

Another long term solution is to apply for the JAWI/MAIWP land at the parking lot adjacent to the SRA and Balai Polis for Al Hidayah, since that land has been gazetted for institutional use. This will require negotiations with the mosque committee, JAWI/MAIWP, and DBKL, but will entail other considerations. However, DBKL says that this would be an ideal solution since there will be no immediate neighbours who can complain and threaten the pre-school’s existence again.


We are still counting on everyone’s support to ensure that Al Hidayah survives this crisis, no matter what.