The Education Ministry has announced that it is investigating a controversial comment supposedly from a teacher in Pahang over voting for non-Muslims.
Its minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that the Pahang Education Department and the ministry’s integrity unit are on the case.
“Stern action will be taken against anyone proven to violate the disciplinary rules based on the set provisions,” she told Malaysiakini.
In a screenshot sighted by Malaysiakini, a Facebook user commented on a Berita Harian post about Selangor’s plan to teach Turath (Islamic heritage) to spread Islamic knowledge.
The comment, written in Malay, cynically stated that it does not matter if one studies various religious books if they vote for a non-Muslim.
Without mentioning anyone specifically, the comment claimed that some individuals pretend to follow Prophet Muhammad’s guidance yet adhere to other religions' teachings, which is why the Al-Kafirun surah was revealed.
Al-Kafirun is the 109th chapter in the Quran. It contains six verses and addresses the disbelievers (kafirun).
Shallow and heavy accusation
Yesterday, Fadhlina’s political secretary Atiqah Syairah Shaharuddin said she received complaints about the offensive comment, made on a Facebook account allegedly linked to a teacher, and called on the ministry's integrity unit to take action, including suspending the individual.
“The concern from parents and the community is how a teacher, who is also a civil servant, could bring themselves to make such comments.
“This shallow yet heavy accusation would become a poison that will continue to fester under the guise of freedom of speech,” she added.
On that note, Fadhlina reminded teachers that civil servants are bound to follow set provisions, including when using social media.
“Social media must be used responsibly and based on the values and ethics guidelines in force,” she stressed.- Mkini
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