PAS threatens to end pact with Gerakan over school donation issue

PAS may not work with Gerakan for the 16th general election (GE16) due to the latter’s stand on alcohol companies donating to schools.
 
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the position taken by Gerakan over the donation issue is disappointing.

“If this is the position taken by Gerakan, we may not work together as a coalition in the next election,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

It was reported that Gerakan had took the same stance as DAP that alcohol or tobacco companies should not be prevented from donating funds to Chinese vernacular schools.

Its president Datuk Dominic Lau said this was because Chinese vernacular schools have not been given sufficient funds by the federal government to operate.

Lau said all the facilities and amenities currently considered the best in Chinese vernacular schools are the result of external funding, not only from large companies but also from small traders and hawkers.

On Friday, the Education Ministry said that there will be no changes to existing guidelines for school fundraisers, which include a ban on the display and promotion of alcoholic beverages on school premises.

However, the government has agreed to consider allowing vernacular schools to continue accepting donations through their administrative boards, as practised in the past.

Fundraising became an issue after brewery Tiger Beer was linked to a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, last week. The event was officiated by Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu, with Sungai Pelek assemblyman Lwi Kian Keong also in attendance.

Aiman defended her participation, calling her critics “hypocrites”. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh criticised Selangor PAS for stirring up the issue, accusing the party of distorting facts and inciting the emotions of the Malays.

Tiger Beer denied making any monetary contribution to schools, clarifying that its role was solely in presenting local performing artists for the event.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that Tiger Beer did not fund a Chinese school, contrary to recent allegations.

Berita Harian reported that the brewery only sponsored a charity concert for the fundraiser, organised by the school’s parents-teachers association and board of directors. – July 28, 2024.