Stop politicising canteen operation directive, DAP leader tells PAS

 

A DAP leader has urged PAS to stop politicising Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s directive for school canteens to stay open during Ramadan.

According to Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, Fadhlina’s announcement was based on humane grounds, while PAS-Perikatan Nasional used the issue as political ammunition.

There are various reasons why canteens should remain open during Ramadan, he said. In a school, some non-Muslim students and teachers do not fast.

“Even though Muslim children are taught to fast, those who have not attained puberty are not expected to fast,” Syahredzan said in a statement today.

This was in response to PAS ulama wing Ahmad Yahaya yesterday accusing Fadhlina of creating an “unnecessary” polemic by assuring that school canteens will continue operating during Ramadan.

Elaborating, Syahredzan noted past instances where non-Muslim children were forced to eat in the shower room of a school and other non-suitable places during Ramadan.

“Don’t PAS leaders like Ahmad pity such children?” he asked.

One such incident happened in 2013 at SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh, where non-Muslim students were made to eat in a shower room located next to a toilet, during the fasting month.

Syahredzan said Fadhlina’s announcement was based on humanitarian grounds, and it was regrettable that PAS-PN leaders had turned it into a political issue.

“Once again, PAS and PN have proven their political stance is incompatible with a multiracial country like Malaysia. It is clear that they are prone to issuing statements that divide the people, and not unite them.

“I urge PAS and PN to stop politicising our children’s school canteens. Such matters should not be tainted with their narrow political leanings.” - Mkini