BN bid to transfer Normala's husband for 'failing to control' her

The Johor Education Department has attempted to transfer the husband of PAS Tenang candidate Normala Sudirman from Tenang to Johor Bahru on the ground that he could not "control his wife".

The sudden instruction, which ordered Normala's husband Makrof Abd Mutalib to relocate to Johor Bahru within 24 hours, was however retracted after the couple protested.

"The headmaster said it was because I can't control my wife, referring to her political participation in PAS," said Makrof Abd Mutalib, who has been teaching in a school in Tenang over the past 13 years.

Met at a PAS event to announce its candidate last night, Makrof told Malaysiakini that he received the transfer notice a few days ago when it was heavily speculated that her wife could be a candidate in the Jan 30 by-election for the state seat.

Makrof however said no official reason was stated in the transfer notice.

"We confronted the district education department. Normala had resigned (as a teacher). They should not act like this. If they won't retract it, we would take it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or call a press conference. They then retracted it," said Makrof.

Normala, who was a teacher in nearby Segamat, had tendered her resignation recently to be a full-time party worker.

According to Makrof, the transfer notice was a form of discrimination against teachers whose family members are supportive of the opposition.

Meanwhile, Johor PAS information chief Mazlan Aliman said the instruction from the Johor Education Department was politically motivated.

Education Dept director caught on video

Last week, Johor Education Department director Markom Giran wascaught on video for openly canvassing for support for BN among teachers in Tenang.

A video footage uploaded on YouTube shows the Johor education chief in a speech pleading to the teachers present "to help the government win the by-election".

In the video, Markom tells the teachers to organise motivational programmes for their students, after which they are required to meet with the parents of the students to identify whether they are supporters of BN or the opposition.

He said there are 15 schools in the Tenang constituency and the Education Department plans to organise motivational programme for pupils where all teachers are requested to meet with the students' parents.

"In meeting the parents and the house occupants, you shall classify them based on four colours - green, blue, grey and white. Green is for hardcore opposition, blue for BN.

“For grey (fence-sitters), we want you to inform us so that we can try to change them to blue," he said.

A police report on Markom's campaigning has been lodged by Johor PAS deputy commissioner Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Nominations are set for Jan 22 for the by-election caused by the death of BN Sulaiman Taha who died on Dec 17.

- Malaysiakini