KOTA KINABALU – The Education Ministry’s decision to expose children in schools under its purview to the Palestine issue may not be the most responsible approach, said Datuk Darell Leiking.
Instead, the Warisan deputy president said education authorities should focus on improving the system, as well as enhancing curriculum and safety of schools, especially in Sabah.
“We, as Sabahans, share the concern for the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, which has resulted in the suffering and loss of innocent lives on both sides.
“We firmly believe that war is never a solution to any conflict.
“However, we are concerned about the decision to involve schoolchildren in our region in a complex geopolitical issue far from our shores.
“While it is essential to promote awareness and empathy, we should also consider age-appropriate methods of doing so.
“Encouraging children to understand the intricacies of international conflicts may not be the most responsible approach.
Focus on domestic problems
The Moyog assemblyman was responding to the directive issued by the Education Department’s deputy director-general on the implementation of Palestine Solidarity Week dated October 21.
Leiking said the Education Department should not divert the resources funded by taxpayers money towards the promotion of such solidarity movements.
Leiking further said that the Malaysian government should focus on “improving our education system, enhancing our curriculum, and ensuring the safety and condition of school buildings, especially in Sabah”.
Since the unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel by armed resistance group Hamas, which reportedly killed 1,400 people and claimed over 200 hostages, Israel has ramped up its assault on the occupied Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Al Jazeera quoted Gaza’s health ministry as saying that at least 5,791 Palestinians, including 2,360 children, have been killed by Israel’s airstrikes as of Tuesday.
A total of 704 people were killed in the previous 24 hours alone, making it the highest 24-hour number of deaths throughout the fortnight of Israel’s bombing, the ministry added.
‘What about MA63 Week?’
Leiking also proposed the introduction of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Week instead of Palestine Solidarity Week to inculcate greater understanding towards the formation of Malaysia.
“This will help them understand the historical context and the special rights and privileges that Sabah and Sarawak inherently and constitutionally have as founding members of the federation,” he said.
On another matter, Warisan also called on the government to reconsider the directive that all official letters to the government must be written in the Malay language.
“Both Sabah and Sarawak, as historically separate regions that formed the federation, should have been consulted before such a directive was issued.
“Language policies should reflect the diverse linguistic and cultural heritage of our nation.” – The Vibes, October 26, 2023
