Perkasa warns deputy minister to call off ban in schools or else…

Malay rights group Perkasa has warned Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan (pic) that it will campaign against him in the next general election if he does not retract his statement on the ritual slaughter of cattle in schools.

Perkasa youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris told Kamalanathan that he had insulted Islam by banning the sacrificing of cattle in schools in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha.

The ban came after widespread criticism, both from non-Muslims and Muslims, over the slaughter of cows in a school compound during the recent celebrations.

Kamalanathan confirmed on Thursday that schools are no longer allowed to conduct such activities, saying it had never been permitted.

"We have already investigated the matter. Usually it is not permitted, but the problem arose because the district education department was not informed," he said.

Irwan said that Kamalanathan's directive was insulting to the Muslims in the country as they had never questioned other religions' practices.

He wrote in his blog that Kamalanathan was being "disrespectful to the majority of the people of Malaysia" and urged him to "stop talking about Islam".

"Don't forget where you came from. Please respect," said Irwan.

In a strongly-worded posting, the youth chief also warned Kamalanathan that Muslims in his constituency will not support him in the next general election if he does not withdraw his statement on the ban.

"We want these kind of people to be ousted in the next GE. You (Kamalanathan) must remember that you have a lot Malays in your constituency," said Irwan.

The issue came to light after several non-Muslim parents highlighted that cows were being slaughtered in schools during Hari Raya Aidiladha, which offended Hindus, who consider the animal sacred, and others as well.

Muslim politicians from Pakatan Rakyat and educationists condemned the acts, agreeing with calls that schools be off-limits to such activities.

Education Minister II Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh previously lamented that the bigger picture was that Malaysians lacked mutual respect for one another's beliefs.