Prayer not only problem in MGS, segregation also worrisome: school board

The Methodist Primary Girls School board and management in Penang is worried about the lack of mingling and subtle segregation among students of different races and religions.

Their concerns have been conveyed to Deputy Chief Minister II and state executive councillor on education P Ramasamy (above), who said that the recital of prayers was not the only problem in the school.

"Of late, there is a trend among Muslim students to buy food only from stalls operated by Muslims, although the school canteen is managed by a Malay Muslim," Ramasamy said.

Asked if this was the result of the Buy Muslim First campaign, Ramasamy said he was not certain of it.

At a press conference in Komtar today, Ramasamy said in order to overcome the divisions, the school decided this year to go for a change by proposing to have a unity speech for Christians and Muslims.

"At the KDU campus on Sept 27, a Christian member of the school board gave the unity speech, and a Muslim member who was assigned for the speech failed to do so," Ramasamy said.

"Apparently the person who was in-charge of preparing the speech did not prepare it on time," he added.

"Thus, as a result only the Christian representative ended up giving her speech, which called for understanding and cooperation in a multi-racial and multi-religious society like Malaysia," he stressed.

Ramasamy said the event was a success as the intention was to bring about some level of unity or togetherness among the students of different races and religions.

However, to their surprise, a police report was lodged by a Malay Muslim group saying the school allowed Christian prayer, but denied the Muslim one.

This led to 10 police reports lodged against the school, eight in Penang. Five people have been questioned by the police, nine more are expected to be called.

It prompted Education Ministry director-general Amin Senin (above) to issue a stern warning against the school, threatening it with punishment.

The school's headmaster and some members of the board were summoned to clarify the matter at the state education department.

Ramasamy said the school board believes it has done no wrong.

"No Muslim prayers have been denied in the school. They are willing to cooperate with the police without fear.

"They just want the authorities to understand why they organised the unity speech - to bring teachers and students closer to one another," Ramasamy explained. - Mkini