Loke to discuss with Cabinet on school donations by alcohol firms

 

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said it was common within the Chinese community for alcohol companies to organise school-related programmes. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Transport minister Loke Siew Fook says he will bring the matter of donations by alcohol companies to Chinese schools to the Cabinet tomorrow.

Berita Harian reported Loke, who is also DAP secretary-general, as saying the matter should not have become an issue as alcohol companies have been involved in fundraisers for Chinese schools for decades.

“Alcohol companies have organised fundraising programmes for Chinese schools, which I have also attended, for the past 30 years.

Why is this being made an issue now? We must understand that this is not a new thing,

 he said to reporters at SMK Mantin in Seremban today.

Controversy had recently erupted after PAS took issue with deputy housing and local government minister Aiman Athirah Sabu for receiving a mock check for RM3 million bearing Tiger Beer’s logo at a fundraiser for SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.

She had been invited to the programme, which sought to raise funds for the school’s hall built 30 years ago. The event was officiated by Selangor exco Ng Suee Lim and attended by Sungai Pelek assemblyman Lwi Kian Keong.

Loke today said such programmes were usually held outside the school in restaurants, and it was common within the Chinese community for alcohol companies to organise school-related programmes.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Aiman said she was not informed that the contributors would include a beer company.

On Saturday, Sepang Amanah lodged a police report against two Facebook users for allegedly defaming Aiman.

Federal Territories Amanah lodged a similar report the next day against the users. The state Amanah communications director Razali Zakaria said they had posted an image featuring Aiman’s face next to a can of beer with the Amanah party logo superimposed on it. - FMT