KUCHING, Oct 27: Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn has been urged to collaborate with the Sarawak Education Department to issue an immediate directive to all schools in the State to make it clear that there is no obligation for them to participate in the solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak political education director Irene Chang emphasised that Sarawak should take the lead in showing the rest of Malaysia that the country’s education system cannot be dragged into geopolitical issues and international conflicts.
Chang made this call following confirmation obtained by DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen from Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying yesterday, indicating that it is not mandatory for schools in Sarawak to partake in the Palestine Solidarity Week programme planned from Oct 29 to Nov 3.
“To allow our education system to be compromised in that way is to involve our children in these conflicts.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and it is essential to shield them from the negative consequences of such an issue, especially from the complicated Middle East conflict which a lot of adults are still grappling to fully understand,” she said in a statement today.
Chang further stressed that encouraging schools and children to take sides in a conflict would foster negative feelings and potentially leading to long-term consequences, including the perpetuation of divisions, hatred, and violence.
Such outcomes, she added, would be detrimental to the multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society that Malaysia including Sarawak have worked hard to build over the years.
“Sarawak, as an equal partner of the Malaysia should also put forth a strong stand toward the Federal government to not only re-evaluate the Palestine Solidarity Week programme, but to totally abort the programme as we have also many Sarawakian students studying in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
“Sarawakians expect our government to work together with all political parties, regardless of political divisions, to protect our people, children and our peaceful and harmonious society,” she emphasised. — DayakDaily
