I have won, says lawyer who complained about CNY decorations in school

• UPDATED Added clarification that Khairul Azam was summoned to MCMC to give a statement on a separate matter. 

Lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz has declared himself victorious following the hullabaloo caused by his complaint over the Chinese New Year decorations displayed at a school in Selangor.

He said this was because his letter of complaint on the decorations put up at SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 caught the attention of the cabinet and resulted in ministers visiting the school.

The Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) vice-president said this after flashing the “V” sign to the media in front of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) headquarters in Cyberjaya this morning.

The commission had summoned him to record his statement over a separate matter. 

Asked what the sign meant, he replied: “Victory.”

“I won, as because of my one letter, seven ministers went (to the school).

“My one letter caused the tanglong (Chinese lantern) to come down, seven ministers had to go (to the school) to raise it back up. I have won,” he quipped.

Khairul, who was accompanied by his lawyer Shaharudin Ali, said he would be heading to the Serdang district police headquarters to provide his statement later.

The matter came to light after Khairul claimed the school removed the decorations after he wrote to the principal to demand it be taken down.

He claimed to have received complaints from parents who were concerned the decorations were an attempt to propagate to Muslims.

It was later revealed that the decorations were removed upon the advice of police to de-escalate the situation following the complaint.

However, the government later declared there was no threat to race or religion and its stand is that schools are free to mark any festive occasion.

The government will also empower teachers and headmasters who promote unity and diversity.

- Mkini