KUALA LUMPUR – Issues pertaining to racial harmony among Johoreans must be handled accurately and swiftly, said Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, following the controversy surrounding a school that reportedly held a “Muslims-only” examination workshop.
In a Facebook post today, Sultan Ibrahim expressed the need for a clear and swift response from the appropriate authorities, saying these actions will deter rumour-mongering quarters from spreading confusion and hate.
This comes after news reports emerged on a recent SPM workshop, supposedly held for Muslim pupils only in an elite all-girls school in Johor.
“I don’t want my ‘Bangsa Johor’ to be confused and begin turning on each other. I cannot emphasise enough the need for racial understanding, unity, and tolerance.
“The Education Department must be quick to respond in these situations to prevent emotions and falsehoods from running wild.
“This is also a lesson to all parties who must deal swiftly and firmly to quell public dissatisfaction,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
“Nobody must be left out of any public programme because of their race or religion. If it is true that there was racial segregation, then action must be taken against the organisers.
“The same can also be said if it is found that these allegations are proven false and were spread by irresponsible parties.”
Earlier today, The Vibes reported that several parents of non-Muslim students in an all-girls public school in Johor were outraged after the institution allegedly conducted a workshop for the SPM examination exclusively for its poorly performing Muslim pupils.
The matter was highlighted by Twitter user Anne Louis yesterday evening, claiming that the workshop, which went on for two days and one night, was held at a hotel recently.
In response, the Education Ministry issued a statement, refuting any allegations of discrimination.
The ministry explained that the workshop is broken into several sessions to avoid disrupting Chinese New Year festivities for students celebrating the occasion.
The ministry further explained that a separate workshop will be held for the said students on January 26 and 27.
The earlier workshop session, held on January 19 and 20 at Suasana Hotel in Johor Baru, comprised 30 students who had failed to pass their Bahasa Malaysia and History syllabus, among other subjects. – The Vibes, January 24, 2023
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