KUALA LUMPUR – PAS’ call for school canteens to stay closed during Ramadan shows the party’s incompatibility with a multiracial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said.
He slammed the Perikatan Nasional (PN) component for politicising Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s directive to schools to ensure canteens stay open during the fasting month for non-Muslim pupils, saying it was clear PAS was more interested in dividing the community.
“Once again, PAS and PN prove that their political stance is not compatible with a multiracial and multi-religious country like Malaysia.
“It is clear that they are more inclined to issue statements that divide the community instead of fostering unity.
“I urge PAS and PN to stop politicising our children’s school canteens. Things like this should not be tainted with their narrow politics,” Syahredzan said in a statement.
The DAP lawmaker was responding to PAS ulama council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, who is also Pokok Sena MP.
Yesterday, Ahmad said Fadhlina’s directive was “excessive” and “unnecessary polemic”, besides being disrespectful of Ramadan.
Syahredzan, however, said Ahmad’s remarks showed he had no compassion for non-Muslim children, as well as teachers who do not fast.
He also reminded Ahmad that there would be young Muslim students who had not reached puberty and would therefore not be required to fast. – March 13, 2024