Seri Pristana issue festers, parent insists more have left the school

More than one primary school pupil has transferred out of the controversial SK Seri Pristana, a parent has said, rubbishing the education ministry's claim that only one left the school.

The parent, who wanted to be known as Raj, told The Malaysian Insider that to his knowledge, there have already been three transfers.

"There is more. Previously, there was a Chinese parent who had taken her child out of the school at the height of the event, before Guneswari did," Raj told The Malaysian Insider.

Guneswari is the whistleblower on the operation of a makeshift shower room canteen in the school.

Raj said that more will definitely jump on the same bandwagon, with V. Kumancan's daughter being next.

"Her father was arrested after reports were made by the school teachers. How will she study there after this? What guarantee is there for her education?" he asked.

The 31-year-old Kumancan was recently arrested and released by the police on bail for allegedly uttering death threats against the school's headmaster, Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor.

He is however expected to be charged with criminal intimidation soon.

"I do not understand why Mohamad Nasir does not want to admit his mistake. No matter what he tries to justify or get politicians to side him, he made a mistake and he must be sorry for it.

"The school also constantly comes up with differing stories and clearly any parent would doubt the school for trying to hide a wrongdoing. There has not been any consistency in their justifications," Raj said, adding that he is not going to change his story.

Raj said that due to harassment, his daughter had not returned to the school after the Hari Raya holidays and had begun classes at a new school last Monday.

The angry parent said he suspects that there is a ploy to cover up the whole furore.

"Mohamad Nasir has been bringing in politicians, policemen and carrying out all sorts of agenda to serve his purpose but never apologised. We need justice for our children first."

Selangor Education Department director Mahmud Karim has also refuted allegations that school authorities had photographed non-Muslim pupils.

He also added that his department had yet to be informed of the incident.

Mahmud also refuted claims that the school teachers had discriminated against non-Muslim pupils and called it a misunderstanding.

However, the DAP has demanded for an independent committee to investigate various issues in the on-going SK Seri Pristana saga, following conflicting statements issued by the authorities.

The party's Selangor state chairperson Teresa Kok said that based on the statements from the ministry and the state education department, she doubts if continued investigations by authorities can inspire much public confidence.

"Firstly, Mahmud refuted claims that teachers had discriminated against non-Muslim pupils but the ministry had issued a statement saying it was investigating the issue," she said.

"Therefore, if the ministry investigation is on-going, then how can Mahmud refute the claims?" Kok questioned.

She also took Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to task as his silence over the issue has created the allegation that he is condoning or emboldening the wrongdoings at the school.

"The government must set up an independent committee to conduct a full investigation into the 'Meals in changing rooms' affair and the bullying and intimidation of pupils," Kok said.

The ministry insisted that it considered the issue to be solved as several measures had been taken to rectify the situation such as closing the changing room and upgrading the school canteen to accommodate more pupils.

"The school's headmaster, senior assistant and teachers have been twice advised on the need to maintain the harmony of pupils from various races," it had said in a statement

The school pupils were also subjected to questioning by the police without the knowledge of their parents, a claim which police initially denied but later admitted.

On Friday, the ministry announced that Mohd Nasir had been let off the hook as he hadn't committed any crime in ordering his pupils to have their meals in the shower room.