‘Kamalanathan unfit to be deputy minister’

DAP MP criticises Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan for saying that the SK Seri Pristana incident was a small problem.

PETALING JAYA: DAP national vice-chairman M Kulasegaran today lashed out at Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan for turning a blind eye on the SK Seri Pristana issue.

Kamalanathan, in a recent statement, said the SK Seri Pristana incident was only a small problem compared with other schools that had done well in integrating its students.

“It has come as a shock to the public. With the incident having escalated into a exodus of non Muslim students from the school, how can he make such remarks to divert public attention from the latest development?” asked the Ipoh Barat MP.

The school came into the limelight when the headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mohd Nor, decided to put the students in a shower room for recess period during the month of Ramadan.

In a recent development, a parent of a pupil from the school was arrested for allegedly intimidating the headmaster.

Other parents have also disclosed that they and their children have been ostracised in the school ever since the canteen fiasco erupted, prompting at least 10 of them to pullout their kids from the school.

Kulasegaran said it was shocking for Kamalanathan to tell the public that it was “a small problem” despite serious developments related to the incident.

“Pupils have subsequently been bullied and intimidated by the headmaster, teachers and classmates, even the whistleblower had received threats.

“A parent was also arrested by the police and pupils were traumatised by police interviews without the presence of parents and he says it is a small problem,” he said.

Kulasegaran said there was no justification for Kamalanathan to make such insensitive remarks even if he wanted to toe the government line so as to be in office.

“If he thought the initial incident of eating meals in the changing room was a small matter, why would he go there immediately to offer an apology over the incident,” he said.

Muhyiddin’s silence

He added that he had critisised the Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin many times over his continued silence and inaction over the school issue.

“Is he powerless, heartless or both?, he asked.

“His continuous failure to respond has made me wonder if it has got to do with the upcoming party elections, since Selangor Umno has taken a tough stand in defending the school,” he added.

Kulasegaran urged Kamalanathan to tell the public if he had given the impression or told his superior and other ministry officials that it was only a small issue.

“I also find it shocking that Kamalanathan claims he is yet to be briefed on the investigation outcome of the numerous complaints lodged against Mohd Nasir.

“Kamalanathan was quick to apologise on Mohd Nasir’s behalf, but why is he slow in revealing the outcome of the investigation when public anger has been growing since the issue escalated?” he asked.

Kulasegaran said he would suggest the removal of both Muhyiddin and Kamalathan from their posts during the next parliament seating.

“I shall ask the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to revoke their appointments as they are both clearly incapable of holding such positions,” he said.