Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has slammed Transport Minister Anthony Loke for seeking to revise Education Ministry guidelines on schools receiving funds from the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
The Merlimau assemblyperson urged the government to defend its policies despite pressure from the minister to change them.
“I fully support Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) for defending the policy not to allow brewery, cigarette, and gambling companies to contribute to schools.
“If the national football league does not allow such companies to contribute, what more schools in the country,” he said on Facebook today.
Yesterday, Fadhlina said while contributions to schools, including from private firms are welcomed, they must follow the ministry’s guidelines.
Following this, Loke said he would seek the cabinet’s view during a meeting today to revise the guideline, at least for Chinese primary schools.
The DAP secretary-general said the brewery involved in the issue - Tiger Beer - had been organising fundraising concerts for Chinese schools for 30 years, and it did not become an issue until an opposition leader raised it.
Elaborating, Akmal stressed that the country had laws to adhere to, and it should not be following Loke’s own rules instead.
“Umno Youth fully backs the education minister on this issue. Free our children from bad elements.”
No compromise
Putera MIC echoed Akmal’s stance with its chief S Shatesh Kumar saying the brewery’s contribution to the Chinese school clearly went against a 2018 Education Ministry circular.
“This is not a matter of donating to a Chinese school or any other school but of action that tarnishes the school’s reputation as a centre of intellect and capital building for the future.
“Even though the matter was normalised in the past, there should be no compromise. The government should take strict action against breweries that go against the government circular,” Shatesh said in a statement today.
He further urged the Education Ministry to ignore calls to review the guidelines, in a clear reference to Loke.
“This should not happen. Let us not gamble on the future of the coming generation.
“Putera MIC will not compromise with any party that violates a government circular, as it spoils the moral value of students.”
Last Sunday, a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, courted controversy after it was found that Tiger Beer was one of the donors.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu, along with Selangor state executive councillor for local government, new village development, and tourism Ng Suee Lim officiated the event. Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Lwi Kian Keong was also in attendance.
While the Education Ministry said it would investigate the matter, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh criticised Selangor PAS for stirring up the issue, accusing the party of distorting facts and inciting the emotions of the Malays.
Aiman also lashed out at her detractors over her participation in the event, labelling them as “hypocrites”.
Purely fundraising purpose
In response, DAP central committee member Lee Chin Chen urged Akmal to understand the actual situation before making statements, rather than opposing for the sake of it.
Lee said that over the past few decades, the two main beer companies in the country have raised over RM400 million for Chinese schools through charity performances, contributing significantly to the construction of these schools.
The Bilut assemblyperson also explained that these beer companies only help Chinese schools raise funds, without involving national primary and secondary schools.
Moreover, he added these Chinese education charity performances do not promote negative behaviours among students but simply raise funds through concerts and banquets to build Chinese schools.
He pointed out that if schools rely solely on government resources for construction, it would put a strain on government finances.
Such fundraising activities help to alleviate this financial pressure and have been successfully used for years to raise construction funds for Chinese schools, he emphasised.
“Even Loke, understanding the Chinese community’s situation, has decided to propose a revision to this guideline at today’s cabinet meeting, specifically allowing Chinese schools to continue fundraising in such a manner. I really don’t see any issue with this.”
He also reminded Akmal that acting like a hero in such matters does not elevate his social status but rather disrupts the social harmony in Malaysia’s diverse society. - Mkini
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