Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek will clarify issues related to donations to a Chinese vernacular school involving Tiger Beer, said government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil.
This comes after it was reported that Chinese vernacular schools have been given an exemption to ministry guidelines on school funding.
Speaking to the media today, Fahmi said the issue was raised at the weekly cabinet meeting today.
“The education minister will answer. Please contact the Education Ministry,” he said during a post-cabinet press conference held at the Communications Ministry in Putrajaya today.
However, Fahmi did not divulge when the Education Ministry will address the matter.
“I will leave it to the Education Ministry. They have been told to answer this,” he added.
This comes after Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he will seek a cabinet review on revising the Education Ministry’s guidelines on schools receiving funds generated from the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
The set of instructions forbids schools from receiving such funds.
Loke yesterday said that “the guidelines should not have such restrictions, at least not for Chinese primary schools”.
Exemption for Chinese schools?
Earlier today, Sin Chew Daily reported that the cabinet has decided that Chinese vernacular schools will not be subjected to the same guidelines that prohibited donations from companies producing tobacco and alcohol products.
Quoting a source, the report said while the cabinet decided to maintain the Education Ministry guideline, it would however “not be applicable to non-Muslims or Chinese schools”.
“Everything remains as usual,” the source said.
Malaysiakini understands that the Education Ministry will issue a press statement later on the matter.
Yesterday, Fadhlina ruled out providing exemptions or reviewing guidelines that bar schools from receiving funds generated from selling tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Putera MIC chief S Shatesh Kumar have since slammed Loke for defending the brewery donation issue.
Last Sunday, a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Sepang courted controversy after it was found that Tiger Beer was one of the donors.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu and 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”. - Mkini
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