Malaysia

Netizens blast Fadhlina’s explanation for allegedly Muslim-only SPM workshop

Be smarter with your cover-up, Twitter users say as they poke holes in ministry’s statement

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 25 Jan 2023 4:43PM

Netizens blast Fadhlina’s explanation for allegedly Muslim-only SPM workshop
Taking to Twitter to voice their dissatisfaction, many netizens were quick to admonish Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for issuing a ‘half-baked’ explanation on the matter. – Bernama pic, January 25, 2023

by Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain

KUALA LUMPUR – Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek is receiving brickbats over her ministry’s response to allegations of discrimination involving an SPM workshop supposedly held exclusively for Muslim students in an elite all-girls school.

Taking to Twitter to voice their dissatisfaction with the ministry’s handling of the issue, many netizens were quick to admonish Fadhlina for issuing a “half-baked” explanation on the matter.

Several users pointed out that if the workshop had excluded non-Muslim students to avoid disrupting Chinese New Year festivities – as claimed by the ministry – the absence of Indian students at the workshop raised further questions.

Commenting on Fadhlina’s Twitter post of the ministry’s statement, user @A_Hxrrxz poured scorn over the “excuse,” saying: “Even if you want to cover (the matter) up, be smarter about it.

“(The ministry) is using Chinese New Year as an excuse but did the workshop involve Indian students?” he asked, with fellow user @pengesanpenipu also raising the same doubts over the ministry’s statement.

User @luarkotak35 also called on Fadhlina to avoid “futile attempts” at justifying the school’s apparent blunder, as the workshop could have been conducted before or after the holiday period.

Another user by the name of @mlvndrr took aim at Fadhlina for ostensibly failing to properly address the issue.

“What a rubbish statement from you, (Fadhlina). As an education minister, you know damn well that Chinese New Year celebrations were not the reason (for the workshop excluding non-Muslim students).

“Just take responsibility and admit that the workshop was purposely organised for Muslim students. Do better,” he said.

Similarly, user @AnxiousQuill doubted the ministry’s explanation as it appeared to contain information the school principal had failed to convey to disgruntled parents when the issue was raised in a purported WhatsApp conversation.

“Someone’s not being truthful here,” they alleged.

Earlier, the principal had reportedly told parents that the workshop was an intervention to assist Malay students who had fared poorly in their studies.

She noted that a total of 40 students had failed their recent trial examinations and that if no action was taken, the students would not be able to pass their SPM.

Fadhlina had also come under fire after telling The Vibes that the matter will be handled by the Johor Education Department, with netizens lambasting the minister for “washing her hands” of the issue.

Previously, the first-time minister had said that her ministry is looking to empower state education departments to take charge of issues in their respective states. – The Vibes, January 25, 2023

Related News

Malaysia / 2d

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia / 3d

MoE vows full cooperation with authorities after teacher accused of sexual misconduct

Opinion / 6d

Singapore's race to self-sufficiency amid Malaysian water tensions – TamilSalvi Mari

Malaysia / 1w

Political party youth leader in Johor to be charged with sexual assault of teenagers

Education / 1w

Govt to introduce literacy, numeracy early intervention programme for Year 1 pupils

Malaysia / 2w

Cops probing extortion claims by Singaporean couple at CIQ Complex

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Forest fires at Sarawak-Brunei border the size of 220 football fields

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

King calls on all parties to stop fuelling anger over socks issue

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Sabah polls: We will let BN leadership decide on partners, says Bung

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

DOSM opens 300 extra counters as Padu registration deadline approaches

Malaysia

Speed limit at George Town World Heritage Site reduced to 40 km/h

By Shahrim Tamrin

Malaysia

Water bombing carried out to douse massive Sarawak forest fires

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Sabah orders immediate water supply to over 50,000 households

By Jason Santos