A GROUP of NGOs, including from Sabah and Sarawak, are shocked over a notice from the Minstry of Education dated October 21, 2023 calling for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of Palestinians' cause.
The notice from the office of the Deputy Director-General of Education singles out six proposed activities to be carried out in all schools.
The collective of NGOs is deeply concerned over this controversial event by a simple administrative ruling without discussions on its appropriatness at the Dewan Rakyat or without consulting the parents.
The proposed action has not been adequately considered for its long-term impact. We NGOs here are seemingly reflecting community views as well.
We are looking at the seriousness of dragging school children in becoming part of the global, grownup adult world of protests, and not subject young minds to get embroiled in this Middle East crisis.
We caution that the six propositions can go wrong and be a cause for concern with far-reaching repercussion.
We have seen before how a particular school in Malaysia very recently had made its young students to stomp on an Israeli flag.
Social media has gone viral with that posting, causing alarm among citizens. Many netizens criticised this action and rightly held that the school is sowing hatred in these young, impressionable minds.
Parents send their children to national-type schools, not only for academic progress but also hope for mental and social balance; developing, learning and interacting with pupils of other races and religious faiths.
School is a place for the instilling of moral ethics and values that enrich a multiracial, multicultural and multireligious Malaysian society.
We also remind the government of Malaysia on the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on February 17, 1995, which under Article 29 states:
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin.
We therefore categorically urge the Ministry of Education and the government to keep international politics (conflicts), religious disputes and war-cries out of schools and education institutions.
Members of NGOs and netizens have raised their concerns that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is giving the impression of angling the Israel-Hamas war also as a religious perspective as well as taking political and territorial sides.
The government has clearly taken sides and joined various quarters globally hinting anti-semitism. Malaysia has a long track record, known globally, as a peace-loving and peacekeeping nation.
We should stand up for peace and demand for the halting of all civilian casualties and not spike the crisis further by siding one nation state while condemning another with racist undertones. Malaysia should be focusing more on reviving our economic crisis and the fall of Malaysian ringgit in the wake of this Middle East war.
We fear the misalignment of sentiments, condemnation, hatred and prejudices being championed by zealous teachers who are led to believe this is a religious war and that anti-semitism is therefore justified. We cannot poison our young children's minds.
Hence, the government also needs to consider Malaysian students who are studying abroad. Their welfare and safety cannot be jeopardised as a result of the government's stand on the war crisis.
Thus the government needs to bear in mind with regards to many Malaysians travelling abroad who would be subjected to visa refusals, getting scrutinised or be in any sort of other danger or life-threatening situation.
Let us stop getting our children and the people of Malaysia baited to the problems that are growing larger by the days. -- The Vibes, October 25, 2023
This collective press statement is supported by the following:
- S.Shashi Kumar, president, Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF)
- Datuk RRM Krishnan, president, Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Tamil Malaysia (Pertama)
- Daniel John Jambun president, Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
- Bill Jugah, president, Independent Coalition Of Natives, Sarawak (Icon)
- Kanul Gindol, chairman, Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo
-.Cleftus Stephen Mojingol, president, Pertubuhan kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah
- Jovilis Majami, president, Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (Bangun)
- Voon Lee Shan president, Parti Bumi Kenyalang Sarawak
- Dominique Ng, president, Sarawak Association for People's Aspirations
- Thomas Patrick, secretary-general, Persatuan Kebajikan Persaudaraan Sahabat Miri Sarawak.
- Valentino Ngabong, president, Persatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak
- Badindang Lai Upeng, president, Gerempung Raban Dayak Kuching
- Tan Boon Tak, president, Malaysia Chinese Educated Students Association
- Arun Dorasamy, chairman, Centre for Education Excellence - Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia
- Siti Kasim, founder, Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity Foundation (Maju)
- Brig Gen Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji, president, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
