KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition lawmakers have urged the Education Ministry to avoid taking action against teachers who allegedly used toy weapons during pro-Palestine activities in schools recently.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament today, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN) warned that the party will not hesitate to call on the public to show their objection to any potential action against supposed wrongdoers.
“Don’t ever take action against teachers who were involved in (events to show their) solidarity with Palestine.
“If action is taken, PAS will state our stand and call on all Malaysians to show their solidarity with the school’s management.”
This comes after Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek (Nibong Tebal-PH) said a thorough investigation would be carried out after toy weapons, which allegedly promote extremist elements, were found in schools as part of pro-Palestine programmes.
She added that the ministry will not compromise on elements of radicalism, extremism, violence, replicas, and weapons, which are strictly prohibited within school premises.
Meanwhile, Fadhli took aim at Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming’s (Teluk Intan-PH) comment that schools are not the place for “conflicts, extremist understandings, and violence”.
“(Nga’s) comment has shown the true face of some leaders in the government today. His statement implies that when school students carry toy guns, we’re teaching them (to be) violent.
“However, the presence of guns (during solidarity with Palestine events in school) was just a way to teach students about the struggle in Palestine today,” said the PAS leader.
Fadhli also said Nga’s statement is “one-sided” and “dangerous”.
Last Saturday, Nga tweeted that schools should be places where humanitarian and peace-loving values are instilled rather than extremist understandings, and that those who abuse their power and responsibility should face disciplinary action.
Besides that, Fadhli drew comparisons between school students carrying toy guns as part of pro-Palestine events and those carrying toy weapons as part of a cosplay event in a school in Klang.
“If those (carrying toy guns) in programmes to show solidarity with Palestine are considered violent, what about those who bring toy weapons as part of costumes depicting comic (characters)?” he questioned.
Earlier, pictures of primary school students, supposedly from SJK(C) Pandamaran, made the rounds on social media, with the images depicting the students dressed in various costumes of cartoon characters while holding toy swords and sickles.
Echoing similar sentiments, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) expressed concern over the Education Ministry’s guidelines for its Palestine Solidarity Week, which began on October 29 in institutions under the ministry’s purview.
“According to the ministry’s guidelines, one of the prohibited activities is to not provide a one-sided perspective and to try to provide a balanced outlook on the situation (between Palestine and Israel).
“Does this mean that the Education Ministry wants students and teachers to portray Israel’s point of view of its crimes in Gaza? What is the ministry trying to say?” he questioned, adding that clarity on the matter is needed to avoid confusing young minds in schools.
Yesterday, after much furore from various quarters over the programme, Fadhlina shared an infographic on guidelines for the Palestine Solidarity Week, highlighting that no “extremist rhetoric”, no blaming other religions, and no manipulation of facts are allowed during the programme.
Previously, an Integrated Special Education Programme school teacher told Scoop that the use of toy guns and jihadi costumes among pupils in a show of support for the Palestinian struggle was solely intended to provide a visual representation of the concept of jihad. – October 31, 2023