The school, established in 1899 is full of irreplaceable history and has helped birthed thousands of successful students across the decades is now on the verge of being demolished.
Let's help save CBN
Malaysians and the school’s alumni have banded together to launch a petition to help save the century-old institution as many have learned that its lease will be expiring on 6 September 2021.
The petition has garnered close to 22,000 signatures to date, nearing its goal of 25,000 signatures. You can view it here.
According to the petition, the Federal Territories Land and Mines Department have not renewed the lease and a judicial review took place on 19 April 2021.
Following the review, “the school was granted a stay of leave with the next hearing scheduled for May 4th 2021. In the meantime, we urge you to support the school by signing on to this petition for the renewal of the lease.”
If you’re wondering if the petition has made enough noise, the answer is yes.
The Federal Territories Land and Mines Office told The Star that the iconic school would not be heading for the wrecking ball once its lease expires.
Its director Datuk Muhammad Yasir said the government's decision not to renew CBN's lease was to ensure that the iconic school becomes a fully aided government school, which would enable it to receive all the benefits it needs for the future.
"Right now, CBN is partially aided and it is a very old school. It will benefit more if it was made a fully-aided government institution," Yasir said.
He said the school is located near a slope and if there was a landslide or erosion, remedial works will be borne by the government.
Yasir reiterated that the CBN would remain a school and there would not be any development on the land and that there was nothing sinister about the issue (of not renewing the lease).
Could all of this be true? Well we’re only weeks away until we find out.