Sarawak suspends ‘Anak Angkat’ programme after complaints of covert conversions

Sarawak's education department today suspended the controversial "Anak Angkat" (adoption) programme in schools in the state following protests from parents that the event was a covert attempt to convert Christian students to Islam.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman (pic), who ordered the suspension of the programme, however, said the entire issue was a misunderstanding.

He said it was a sanctioned motivational programme funded by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, aimed at students from poor families.

He said the programme was run by an NGO called the Organisation of Graduates and Educational Institutions Malaysia, or better known as Haluan, which is based in Bangi, Selangor.

Daud said all religious elements in the future module of the programme would be removed.

“There was no intention to convert non-Muslims to Islam in the programme,” Daud said.

Yesterday, Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing highlighted this issue after parents of students in SMK Balai Ringin complained about the programme.

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