KUCHING, Oct 5: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing questions the silence of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak chief Baru Bian over the recent incident where the Methodist Girls’ School in Penang received a warning for the recitation of a Christian prayer during an awards ceremony.
He also wanted to know Baru’s view of the whole issue.
“It is of interest to the Christian community in Sarawak why a so-called staunch Christian as YB Baru keeps silent about it.
“What would he be saying when freedom of religion is clearly breached by the very government he is in?” according to Masing in a statement today.
Masing also questioned the alleged lack of enthusiasm by the printed media in getting a response from Baru, who is also the Works Minister.
“I am quite curious to find out why papers haven’t sought YB Baru Bian’s stand on the Ministry of Education (MOE) telling off Penang Methodist Girls’ School for the recitation of a Christian prayer prior to its function recently,” disclosed Masing who is Deputy Chief Minister.
The Education Ministry (MOE) was reported recently to have issued a stern warning to Methodist Girls’ School in Penang following reports that there was a recitation of a Christian prayer during an awards ceremony there.
A separate warning was given to a school in Perak which is believed to have conducted an art seminar in Chinese instead of the national language.
The director-general of education, Amin Senin, was quoted as saying the ministry was considering further disciplinary action against the Penang Methodist Girls’ School for contravening national education regulations.
Amin was also reported as reminding all schools to adhere to the Education Act and circulars from MOE.
He revealed in a statement that violation of the rules and law may lead to disciplinary action or other actions against the administrators of schools involved.
He also expressed MOE’s firm stand that there would be no compromise if stipulated rules were broken.
On the case in Perak, he said the Education Act and Education (National Curriculum) Regulations specified that Art should be taught in Bahasa Malaysia. — DayakDaily
