UMNO scrounges from the schools: Teachers ordered to accompany BN candidates

After Chinese school teachers nationwide were ferried during school hours to attend a programme with UMNO deputy president, schools in Kota Bharu are now being recruited to join Barisan Nasional's campaign to wrest back Kelantan.

The schools have been given verbal instruction by the Federal government-controlled District Education Department (PPD) to despatch teachers to accompany BN candidates for tomorrow's nomination day.

It is understood that the Kota Bharu education department has asked that each school send at least ten teachers to show support to BN candidates.

Several teachers who spoke to Harakahdaily said the unwritten instruction is to help BN's Mohd Fakhurazi Abdul Rahim, a former PPD officer, who will stand at the Bunut state constituency.

They also claimed that teachers were told to wear the colour red to represent UMNO.

“Lately, we have been compelled to play the role of UMNO division chiefs," said a teacher.

"In the past, only religious teachers were used as political pawns," she added.

Another teacher related that two weeks ago, religious school teachers in the Kota Bharu parliamentary constituency were asked to attend a meeting with UMNO division chief Mohd Fatmi Che Salleh, held at the UMNO office.

The teachers were also asked to sign their attendance to the programme, held on a Saturday, a working day in Kelantan.

Harakahdaily is made to understand that schools in Kota Bharu are being told to organise special programmes inviting locals to hear speeches by UMNO leaders.

Earlier this week, Chinese schools nationwide were asked to spare their teachers for a gathering with caretaker Education minister Muhyiddin Yassin, in Johor Baharu. At the event on April 16, the teachers were lectured on the importance of supporting BN at the coming polls so that vernacular education is strengthened.

-Harakahdaily