Transport Minister Anthony Loke reportedly said that he would consult the cabinet on revising an Education Ministry guideline that bans schools from receiving funds generated from selling tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
As of now, the guideline forbids all schools - including Chinese schools - from receiving such funds. The ministry guideline was introduced on March 29, 2018.
I fully agree with the minister when he claimed that many parties were unaware of such a guideline.
In the meantime, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek reportedly said that no exemptions will be given for schools to receive funds from tobacco or alcohol sponsors.
It would be fair to assume that her statement represents the government’s policy.
According to the media, Loke reportedly remarked “Tomorrow, when I go to the cabinet (meeting), I will tell them that this guideline should be revised.”
He also reportedly said: “The guideline should not have such restrictions, at least not for Chinese primary schools.”
Ignorance is no excuse
The same minister also argued that Tiger Beer has been organising fundraising concerts for Chinese schools for 30 years. In fact, he admitted to attending such a dinner about a week ago.
This argument seems to admit the fact that Tiger Beer has been violating the guideline.
The legal maxim of ignorantia juris non excusat establishes the principle that ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance.
I am unable to subscribe to the minister’s view when he tried to blame the opposition parties, especially PAS, by arguing that the opposition merely wanted to create an issue out of everything to create a polemic.
I definitely have many reservations against PAS but I still believe the minister has to be fair in playing the blame game.
With due respect, in my view, this issue transcends the opposition parties or PAS for that matter. Like it or not this issue remains a source of concern among many Muslims too, unless the minister attempts to ignore the same.
Muslim presence in Chinese schools
As stated earlier, all schools in Malaysia are currently prohibited from receiving donations of proceeds generated from selling alcoholic beverages, and such a prohibition seems to apply to all schools, including Chinese schools.
When the minister said that the guideline should not have such restrictions, at least not for Chinese primary schools, his proposition would sound fair and reasonable if Chinese schools were exclusively attended by non-Muslim students.
Unfortunately, the undisputed fact reveals to us there are currently many Muslim students, Muslim teachers, and other Muslim staff in Chinese schools throughout Malaysia.
Hence, this very fact may remain a source of concern at least among Muslim parents who send their children to Chinese schools.
Therein, therefore, lies the problem. Muslim parents, in particular, must be extremely sad and annoyed if, for instance, any liquor company like Tiger Beer be allowed to organise fundraising activities for Chinese schools.
Given the inflammatory nature of the issue, it may easily spark controversy if it is not properly handled by cool-headed politicians.
Having said the above, I sincerely hope this matter will be amicably resolved by all parties and a win-win solution could be finally attained. - Mkini
MOHAMED HANIPA MAIDIN is former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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