School principal’s apology insincere, makes Malaysia look intolerant, says MCA Youth

The MCA Youth has dismissed the apology of a Shah Alam school principal who allegedly admonished noisy students by telling them to "balik India dan China", pointing out that it builds a seemingly intolerant and zealot image of Malaysia.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said although the apology came quickly from the Sekolah Menengah Alam Megah principal, it was "insincere" and reeked of a cover-up and said disciplinary action should be taken against the principal.

"The incident alone reflected our country poorly, but her apology even more so builds a seemingly intolerant and zealot image of Malaysia," he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.

He pointed out that the principal justified her remarks by saying that she had not only aimed the remark at Indian and Chinese pupils but also Malays, whom she said had told to "balik Indonesia" as well,

"However, the students and parents contradict this version of events, claiming the "balik Indonesia" announcement was never made," said the former deputy education minister.

Even if it had happened, Wee pointed out that the principal's logic, in an attempt to defuse the situation by uttering "balik Indonesia", was "absolutely asinine".

"Why do these sorts of comments even come to her at all? How would she feel if someone ordered her to go back to Indonesia?

"The students are allegedly being disrespectful during the national anthem, so the principal paradoxically tells them all to return to countries she assumes they originated from, including the students of her own race – the dichotomy over citizenship is satirical," the Ayer Itam MP said.

It was reported that the school principal was frustrated by the lack of focus and silence from her students when singing the national anthem on Monday.

She then reportedly scolded all the students by telling them to “balik India dan China”.

The Malaysiakini news portal said she had apologised for her remarks and had promised to meet the students at an assembly tomorrow to apologise to them.

"Being disruptive during the national anthem does indeed warrant reprimanding; yet the series of incidents is not a reasonable consequence. If the allegations are found true, her behaviour calls for severe action and nothing less," Wee added.

"Besides Malaysian citizens, any person who resides in Malaysia legally, whether he or she may be an investor, diplomat, expatriate or even the humble migrant worker does not deserve to be subjected to such bigoted remarks.

"Statements such as hers must cease immediately as they can taint Malaysia as racist, thereby putting off would-be investors and international relations," he said.