By Nancy Nais
SERIAN, Nov 21: Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong hoped the federal government would reconsider Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s decision to ban opposition MPs from public schools unless there is permission.
Manyin opined that there should not be any kind of restrictions on elected representatives from visiting schools in their constituencies.
“All of us are elected by the people. The people expect us to serve, and in this case, to look after the schools. So, it is not correct for the federal government to disallow opposition representatives to visit schools. They are now victimising our students,” Manyin said when met at Serian District Office today.
Manyin, who is also Tebedu assemblyman, revealed that during his meeting with Maszlee in June this year, they touched on education programmes that the state planned to implement, He also reminded Maszlee that education matters must transcend the political divide.
“That is what we have been doing in Sarawak. So, I really hope he will reconsider the ruling (ban),” Manyin said, adding that there was no reason for the Pakatan Harapan government to adopt the “repressive practices and pettiness” of the previous administration.
“In my constituency alone, I have spent not less than RM2 million on education. Now, if we are not allowed to visit the schools, then we cannot help our boys and girls anymore,” he lamented. — DayakDaily
