Education Ministry drubs right-wing politician, backs CNY decorations in schools
PUCHONG: Education Ministry today said it encouraged any activities that promote cultural exchange among Malaysians in schools, including celebration of festive seasons.
In a statement today, the ministry said the decision was made under the student integration plan for unity (Rimup).
“Rimup is a programme which encourages locals, teachers and students to engage in special activities involving sharing of facilities, equipment, human resources and expertise,” it said.
The ministry was commenting on Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh’s statement, who wanted the ministry to issue a clear directive to schools that it was not wrong to put up decorations in schools to celebrate festive seasons.
Yesterday, SMK Pusat Bandar Puchong 1 took down its Chinese New Year celebration decorations, following threats by lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz.
Khairul claimed that he had received complaints from parents that the decorations were an attempt to propagate non-Islamic religions to Muslims.
Khairul, who is also the vice president of the right-wing Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), received criticism for his threats, with Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah reminding him that the Chinese New Year festival was a cultural one, not religious.
The ministry said it had investigated the matter and found no problems with the decorations, which were put up in conjunction with Chinese New Year and for the Selangor Chinese calligraphy contest that will be held on Jan 11.
“Decorations to mark festivities in Malaysia are annual activities held by schools in support of the (ministry’s) student integration plan for unity (Rimup),” it said.
By Irman Hashim
