‘CLOWN MINISTER’ MASZLEE STEPS ON NEW PILE OF SH**: EVEN HIS OWN COLLEAGUES CONDEMN HIM FOR BANNING OPPOSITION REPS FROM VISITING SCHOOLS WITHOUT HIS MINISTRY’S PERMISSION

PETALING JAYA: Opposition politicians should not be required to obtain permission from the Education Ministry to visit schools or education institutions, says PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

The Setiawangsa MP said he disagreed with Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s statement that members of the opposition need to obtain approval from the relevant state education directors to be allowed to visit schools.

“MPs, assemblymen, and state exco (executive council) members are always invited to such institutions, and schools are important places for the civic life of our country.

“Banning the opposition from schools and other education institutions was one of the worst forms of power abuse under the Barisan Nasional administration,” he said in a statement Tuesday, adding that many Pakatan Harapan leaders including himself were victims back then.

Nik Nazmi said that having been the Selangor state executive councillor for education from 2014 to 2018, he was always barred from visiting schools in the state.

“I was also prevented from speaking at my alma mater Kolej Yayasan UEM due to political pressure on the college’s administration.

“I still remember I had to pretend to be a student and entered the campus using a motorcycle just to fulfil the invitation in Universiti Malaya,” he said.

Nik Nazmi added that being the Federal Government now, Pakatan has to act with integrity and high moral values and not continue the practices of “oppression and suppression” by the previous administration.

He said all elected representatives, regardless of their party, have to be trusted to act responsibly when involved in a public discussion.

“Action can be taken if any of them uses this platform to incite racial or religion hatred or to spread party propaganda.

“But in most cases, politicians should be allowed to enter schools, colleges and universities when they are invited.

“I don’t understand why issues like this still arise in the ‘New Malaysia’; Pakatan has to be different.

“We need be better in issues like this, and all other matters,” he added.

THE STAR