PARTI Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) urges the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak to reject the use of educational institutions, schools and school students to promote the federal government’s political agenda in the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza.
Commenting on the Education Department’s circular calling for the implementation of Palestine Solidarity Week in educational institutions under the Education Ministry (MoE), the circular if implemented could encourage feelings of division and polarisation.
By issuing the circular, the Education Department is actually bringing political elements into the classroom that can cause conflict and tension among students and teachers who have different beliefs.
Discussion of political issues in class will create a tense learning atmosphere.
Schools should focus on the preparation of the education curriculum, not mixing political discussions that are not relevant to the school curriculum.
Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country where students, teachers and parents may have different views on politics or the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Schools should be a neutral and inclusive environment for all students to gain knowledge and cultivate good values.
Furthermore, many parents were disturbed by a video clip scene where school students enter their classroom while stamping their feet on the flag of a foreign country while cursing and insulting the foreign country.
Is it appropriate for young school children to be exposed to sentiments of hatred against other races and religions that are considered enemies?
I question the true intention of civil servants to use schools and school students to postulate their political views of international political issues.
Anak Negeri fully understood the support of the public and the outpouring of sympathy among Malaysians for the purpose of supporting the humanitarian cause in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza.
The Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza is a sad humanitarian tragedy where innocent civilians on both sides were victims of a cruel war.
Anak Negeri regrets the death or injury of thousands of innocent people on both sides, whether Israel or Palestine, especially involving innocent children, women and the elderly.
I agree that Malaysians have the right to organise a mass rally to demand an immediate halt to the bombing that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, children, mothers and the elderly in Gaza.
But attention should also be given to the victims of the attacks by Hamas militants against civilians in Israel which have resulted in over a thousand deaths and hundreds of people held hostage by Hamas.
Anak Negeri urges the prime minister to take diplomatic steps in the international arena to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Anak Negeri supports the proposed two state solution, namely Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and harmony.
However, campaigns in support of the Palestinian cause should be organised by political parties, non-governmental organisations or civil societies, not by the government departments. – October 26, 2023
Datuk Henrynus Amin is president of the Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri)