No News Is Bad News
Indeed, PMX and education ministry playing a dangerous game indoctrinating young minds
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4, 2023: It is already clear, thus far, the Madani Unity Government (UG) is adamant on involving schoolboys and girls in the Palestinian cause.
The fact is propagating the use of firearms, violence and hatred has no place in schools. Period.
Peace-loving and law-abiding Malaysia parents did not send their children to be subject to such questionable propagation.
Thy send their children to school for pure education to help them gain knowledge and skills to become productive adults who can contribute to nation-building.
Most certainly, teaching them about the “right” use of firearms and violence, have no room in schools.
Please, for heaven’s sake, leave the young and innocent minds out of politics and international conflicts.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a commentary on the issues by Mariam Mokhtar:
Gaza and the battle to make our kids understand
The education ministry’s Palestine Solidarity Week is an ill conceived plan. Why bring foreign politics into our schools? Don’t we have our own unresolved problems to do with racism, religion and social standing?
Mariam Mokhtar - 04 Nov 2023, 8:30am
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has done something unthinkable, and that is to unite both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional politicians against her ministry’s “Palestine Solidarity Week” involving schoolchildren.
The ministry said that the event would teach schoolchildren to be colour-blind when showing empathy. It would also educate them about humanitarian values, human rights and courtesy. Besides that, the children will be attentive to the sufferings of others irrespective of race, religion or social status.
Surely such noble values should begin at home, instead of describing a distant land 7,000 kilometres away?
Don’t we have our own unresolved problems to do with racism, religion and social standing? Occupation of land by developers or elites who forcibly encroach on ancestral tribal lands? We should clean up our own backyard first before we meddle in other peoples’ affairs.
Our people are struggling and unable to cope with this cost of living crisis. For most of them, the thought that RM100 million has been channelled to the Palestinians is difficult to comprehend, more so when it is not clear if the money will be requisitioned by Hamas for other activities.
How will Fadhlina tell the children that Hamas leaders live in the lap of luxury in Doha and not in the Gaza strip?
Moreover, why bring politics into our schools? Why radicalise our young, and why involve them in a foreign conflict?
Malaysia’s school curriculums have never given history much prominence and it is doubtful that the education ministry would have time to explain the vagaries associated with the Middle East conflict.
The Palestine-Israeli conflict is more than just a matter of land grab, oppression, aggression and illegal settlers.
How on earth will Fadhlina cope with all this and try to make young children understand? Or will she succeed only in nurturing more hate by involving our young in an unresolved, violent foreign conflict?
Moreover, does she or her aides know the difference between Israelis, Jews and Zionists?
How will Fadhlina or her teachers make young school children understand that not all Palestinians are Muslim, that Hamas does not represent all Palestinians, nor is the right-wing Benjamin Netanyahu supported by all Israelis. How will Fadhlina bring in the historical PLO or the Fatah party? How will she weave into the greater picture the roles played by Yasser Arafat or Yitzhak Rabin, both of whom must also be mentioned.
On top of that, Fadhlina and the teachers under her wing must try and incorporate the Balfour Declaration, the UN Partition Plan, the Oslo Accord, the two wars, the two Intifadas, the PLO, Fatah and how Hamas was formed from the Muslim Brotherhood.
Surely the minister and her aides can think of many preferable alternatives to teaching children about humanitarian values and the message of peace?
Why single out the Palestine-Israeli conflict to teach these values? If being Muslim is the defining factor, then shouldn’t Fadhlina bring up the Yemen-Saudi Arabia conflict? What about the fate of the Uyghurs or the Rohingyas? Or the animosity between Iran and Iraq and the deadly war that both countries once fought? There are many other skirmishes around the world, involving Muslims versus Muslims, or against Christian groups.
Both Fadhlina and her boss, the prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, are playing a dangerous game indoctrinating young minds. The Palestine Solidarity Week was an ill conceived plan that may have dire consequences for the nation.
The potential to nurture radical Islamists in our midst is real.
It is time for Fadhlina to start focusing on real reforms to do with education and not dabble in foreign affairs. Nor should she be used by her boss to push his Islamic agenda. At this rate, the threat of the Green Wave will be dwarfed by an internal unity government Green Tsunami.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Thursday, 2 November 2023
Useless education minister defends ‘violent’ display in schools
No News Is Bad News
What is this 'gun-totting' teacher trying to teach her pupils? Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek hails her for delivering a message of humanity, peace and harmony!
Useless education minister defends ‘violent’ display in schools
UPDATE:
Read what the super arrogant useless Education Minister is saying:
Lay off our schools, teachers over Palestine Solidarity Week, says minister
The education minister urges politicians across the divide not to ‘disturb’ teachers or schools by making an issue of the initiative.
Dineskumar Ragu - 02 Nov 2023, 5:26pm
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek said the initiative was never about ‘who is more pro-Palestine’ but educating students on the value of humanity and peace. (Bernama pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: Education minister Fadhlina Sidek has urged politicians across the political divide not to “disturb” schools and teachers that are taking part in the Palestine Solidarity Week.
An emotional Fadhlina told the Dewan Rakyat that humanity was the main reason why the education ministry organised this initiative, adding that it was never about “who is more pro- Palestine”.
“The purpose of this programme is to educate students about the value of humanity, peace education, and peace (itself). Give the education ministry the space to carry out our responsibility.
“Don’t disturb us (ministry). Don’t disturb our schools. Don’t disturb our teachers.
“(The same goes for MPs) on this side or that side (the opposition bloc. Don’t disturb,” she said in her winding-up speech for the 2024 supply bill.
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2, 2023: Despite nationwide public outrage over the Palestine Solidarity Week in schools, the rubbish or garbage Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek hails the controversial events.
What a shocking display of arrogance by Fadhlina who blamed the controversy on politicking.
Allowing school teachers and students to brandish “weapons and firearms” in schools to appreciate violence is politicking?
With such a moronic education minister, Malaysians and Malaysia are surely doomed!
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the garbage that she is spewing:
MALAYSIA
Fadhlina hails Palestine week in schools for message conveyed to students
Issue has become controversial as it is politicised, disrupted by external parties, says education minister
Updated 29 minutes ago · Published on 02 Nov 2023 2:14PM
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek says guidelines on observance of Palestine Solidarity Week are clear for those involved. The Vibes pic.
KUALA LUMPUR – The ‘Palestine Solidarity Week’ events initiated by the Education Ministry (KPM) have effectively delivered a message of humanity, peace and harmony to students, said Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
She said that the programme was conducted according to a process that took into account the students’ level of understanding of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
“…these schools have their own dynamics and it is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure that this message reaches according to the activities that they feel are suitable for the school.
“So this is a clear message that the purpose of holding the Palestine Solidarity Week is to uphold the nation’s stand and ensure that the message reaches all our students,” she told reporters after attending the Palestine Solidarity Week programme at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato’ Ahmad Razali in Ampang near here today.
Palestine Solidarity Week started on Monday and ends tomorrow to respond to the government’s stance to defend the rights and freedom of the Palestinian people.
It is being held in schools, vocational colleges, matriculation colleges and teacher training institutes throughout the country, with the aim of educating students about human values that also include human rights and courtesy.
On the issue of the guidelines regarding the organisation of Palestine Solidarity Week issued by the ministry which became a subject of debate among the people, Fadhlina said the matter did not arise because the guidelines were clear for the education community.
“The guidelines are for schools, for information to school administrators and implemented in schools and for the education community and they are very clear. It (issue) became controversial because it was politicised and disrupted by external parties,” she said. – Bernama, November 2, 2023
Monday, 30 October 2023
Education Ministry continues to rot away
No News Is Bad News
Education Ministry continues to rot away
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31, 2023: The rubbish or garbage Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek still doesn’t get it.
It is happening in schools - teachers, schoolboys and girls are carrying replica weapons and clad in terrorist attire, supporting the use of violence and killing.
The pictures and videos do not lie.
Fadhlina and her rubbish or garbage ministry still continue to NATO (No Action Talk Only) around.
What disciplinary action has been taken against the culprits? Any arrests by the police for such behavior in primary schools?
Also, schools are no place for politics and conflicts, just pure education to lead them to become productive, peace-loving and law-abiding adults.
Instead, what is the ministry doing?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below a news report and previous postings on the issue:
No politics, weapons for Palestine Solidarity Week, says minister
Fadhlina Sidek shares an infographic on X detailing the prohibitions when organising activities for schoolchildren.
FMT Reporters - 31 Oct 2023, 12:03am
Education minister Fadhlina Sidek urged schools to avoid extremist rhetoric, manipulating the facts and blaming specific groups or religions.
PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has shared a guideline for the Palestine Solidarity Week, which bans the use of weapons and promotion of political parties.
In an infographic posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), education minister Fadhlina Sidek urged schools to avoid extremist rhetoric, manipulating the facts and blaming specific groups or religions based on the actions of a few individuals.
She also said schools should steer clear of anything that may lead to confrontation and refrain from showcasing a one-sided perspective of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Instead, Fadhlina said schools should focus on humanity and advocate understanding by underscoring the importance of peace instead of violence.
She encouraged schools to organise charity campaigns, forums, and work with NGOs in activities for students.
Fadhlina, who is the MP for Nibong Tebal, said all activities to be held during the week should focus on peace, justice, and harmony.
Recently, a video recording went viral on social media depicting a school programme showing elements of extremism in expressing support for the Palestinian people.
The 55-second clip showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask and pointing a toy rifle at students, while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
The ministry said it would not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner was “strictly prohibited”.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also called for better control of the Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at several events.
Friday, 27 October 2023
Rubbish Education Ministry = Government
No News Is Bad News
Fadhlina: We are waiting for report on toy gun brandishing incident
MoE had since ordered a complete investigation be conducted into the incident and to file a detailed report based on the stipulated guidelines
Updated 28 minutes ago · Published on 28 Oct 2023 4:29PM
Fadhlina said the Palestine Solidarity Week was encouraged as it was important to instil positive values among students - The Vibes pic, October 28, 2023
BY The Vibes Team
PETALING JAYA - The Ministry of Education (MoE) is waiting for a report following a probe into a programme in a primary school yesterday with students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants.
Its Minister, Fadhlina Sidek said MoE had since ordered a complete investigation be conducted into the incident and to file a detailed report based on the stipulated guidelines.
"Before we take any action, we need a complete report on the incident.
"The guidelines on the Palestine Solidarity Week are clear and we must engage with our respective state education departments on what can and cannot be done.
"We must also ensure all activities are carried out in a harmonious manner with emphasis on humanity and peace," she said.
Fadhlina, who is also the Nibong Tebal member of parliament, earlier officiated the Taman Angkat Amanita Taman Pekaka in her constituency.
Elaborating, she said the Palestine Solidarity Week was encouraged as it was important to instil positive values among students.
"However, we will not compromise on elements of extremism, violence and radicalism, while replicas of weapons are not allowed altogether.
"We have asked all quarters concerned to pay full attention to the guidelines issued," she said.
On the viral video of students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, she said the incident occurred outside the period of the Palestine Solidarity Week which was from Oct 29 - Nov 3. - The Vibes, October 28, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27, 2023: The Education Ministry has responded to the national backlash on its “extremist” Palestine solidarity programmes in schools.
But, it’s happening in its schools. So, what is the ministry doing about it?
No Action Talk Only (NATO)?
The ministry said it will not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is “strictly prohibited”.
Really? Where’s the action against those who promoted the use of firearms and weapons to promote violence, since the ministry claimed there were guidelines?
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the NATO news report:
Education ministry slams viral ‘extremist’ Palestine solidarity programmes
The ministry says the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is strictly prohibited.
FMT Reporters - 27 Oct 2023, 7:53pm
Pictures and videos of Palestine solidarity school programmes in several schools went viral earlier amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has slammed several Palestine solidarity school programmes that have gone viral on social media following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
The ministry said it will not compromise with any activities with “extremist” elements, adding that the use of replica weapons, icons and symbols in a provocative and confrontational manner is “strictly prohibited”.
“This programme falls outside the period set for the Palestinian Solidarity Week and does not adhere to the guidelines set by the ministry,” it said in a statement.
The ministry said, instead, it encourages activities such as video screenings, poetry, poster paintings and donation collections for the Palestinian people.
“All institutions under the purview of the ministry must adhere to the established guidelines,” it added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for better control of the Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at several events.
He said the matter was discussed in a Cabinet meeting and that while schools were encouraged to show solidarity with the Palestinians, such programmes were not mandatory.
A 55-second video that went viral yesterday on social media showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask, and pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
Several social media screenshots of an event at a school in Klang, which has also gone viral, showed children wearing green bandanas with the words “Save Palestine” across their forehead while carrying toy guns.
Yesterday, the ministry pressed on with its directive to all schools and colleges to organise a “Palestinian Solidarity Week” despite criticism from many quarters, saying it was in line with the government’s civic education syllabus.
The Palestinian Solidarity Week, set to run from Oct 29 to Nov 3, will involve all educational institutions under the purview of the ministry, including schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, as well as teacher training colleges across the country.
TO ‘MASTER OF ENGLISH’ ANWAR, USING MALAY LANGUAGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ECONOMIC SUCCESS – BUT NOT FOR SARAWAK PREMIER ABANG JO! ‘THAT DOES NOT APPLY HERE’ – STATE SECRETARY SAYS ENGLISH TO STAY OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Business, Politics | October 27, 2023 9:41 am by | 0 Comments
PUTRAJAYA, 28 Jun -- Menteri Ekonomi Rafizi Ramli ketika sidang media mengenai Indeks Harga Pengguna Bagi Bulan Mei 2023 di kementreriannya hari ini.--fotoBERNAMA (2023) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) – Sarawak’s cool response that it had no intention of following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s heated ‘Return to Sender’ order has sparked online sniggers and won the East Malaysian state more admiration for its no-nonsense and non-racial approach.
However, it is also likely to pit Sarawak Premier Abang Jo’s administration against Anwar’s ‘Madani’ federal government.
“That does not apply in Sarawak,” State Secretary Abu Bakar Marzukiwas quoted as saying by The Borneo Post.
NOT THE FIRST TIME ABANG JO GOES HEAD TO HEAD WITH PUTRAJAYA
On Wednesday, Anwar warned his directive to use and promote the national language – Malay – should not be taken lightly.
The prime minister also stated that anyone who wrote in a language other than the national language to government departments “will have their letter returned.”
““We agree with the use of English as the international trade language, but there is an attitude that I feel has gone too far and has deviated among some government departments, universities and private universities, including the private sector, which attempts to abandon the basis of the Constitution with regard to communicating with the government in the national language,” The Star had quoted Anwar as saying.
Indeed, this is not the first time Sarawak has held opposing views with the federal government when it comes to language-related policies.
In June last year, Abang Jo said the state civil service would continue using English as the official language, with Malay as the national language.
Abang Jo’s comments were in response to Chief Secretary to the federal government Zuki Ali’s statement that he wanted the public services department to look into actions that could be taken against those who did not take instructions to strengthen the national language seriously.
USING MALAY LANGUAGE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ECONOMIC SUCCESS?
BOMBSHELL – FROM SCHOOLKIDS TOTING MACHINE GUNS TO THREATS FROM EUROPEAN MPs – BID BY MALAYSIAN POLITICIANS TO ‘HIJACK’ HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR TO BOOST SAGGING POPULARITY AT HOME BACKFIRES – NOW ONE NEEDS TO SACK HIMSELF AS FINANCE MINISTER, THE OTHER NEEDS TO BE SACKED AS EDUCATION MINISTER
Written by Stan Lee, Politics Now!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) – It’s time for Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, whose appointment was shaky from day one, to call it a day. Her boss, the embattled Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who also doubles as Finance Minister is already free-falling along with Ringgit.
Brickbats from both bigwigs and the man in the street are being hurled at the duo, who hail from the ruling PKR party, for trying to ‘hijack’ the Israel-Hamas war to save their political skins. Even allies are rushing to distance themselves from the fiasco.
“Teach compassion, appreciation of diversity, not war,” said MCA Central Committee Member Saw Yee Fung in a statement to the media.
“anwaribrahim @FadhlinaSiddiq Are you happy now? Children and teachers bearing arms? What kind of sick minds do you all have eh?” asked activist lawyer Siti Kasim on X.
“Seriously what is this????” thundered another activist lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan.
BRAINWAVE OR HALF-BAKED IDEA?
They were responding to the directive by Ministry of Education to all schools to organise a week-long ‘Palestine Solidarity Week’. Despite the obvious public unease at dragging schoolchildren into the Middle East crisis, where the politics of violence and protests are more often than not at the forefront, Fadhlina had persisted while Anwar looked the other way.
Today, the plan backfired after a video showing educators brandishing toy machine guns at schoolchildren triggered a public uproar. A man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask, and pointing a toy gun at the students led a group of teachers into an assembly. They were mimicking gunmen in battle as part of a performance to show solidarity with the Palestinians.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
“Parents send their children to schools, not only for academic progress but also hope for mental and social balance, developing, learning and interacting with other pupils of other races and religious faiths,” 17 NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak scolded in a joint statement.
“Teaching innocent school children about gun-toting and that violence against another is the answer are simply a no-no. We appeal to MoE to please withdraw the directive,” said MCA.
Friday, 27 October 2023
So, Malaysia is now advocating ‘violence’ to school pupils
No News Is Bad News
What is this teacher advocating to her students?
So, Malaysia is now advocating ‘violence’ to school pupils
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27, 2023: Has Anwar Ibrahim’s Unity Government (UG) gone bonkers?
In the name of race and religion, educators are now teaching school children to brandish “guns and weapons” clad and masked in “fighting gear”.
Images of primary school students and teachers brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for the Education Ministry’s (MoE) Palestine Solidarity Week, have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists.
What’s this? Masked “freedom fighters”, “terrorists” or “militants” in Malaysian schools?
Peace-loving and law-abiding Malaysians did not send their children to school to appreciate violence and the use of firearms.
No News Is Bad News wonders how the UG will react if parents tell them to stay away from such programmes or not let them attend classes and school when such programmes or teachings are held.
Also, what happens if any parent takes the education teachers and authorities to court for such madness of promoting violence to their children?
We reproduce below shocking news and visuals (also view the above video clip):
Palestine solidarity programmes in schools need to be controlled, says PM
This comes amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns in a school.
Faisal Asyraf - 27 Oct 2023, 3:09pm
Anwar Ibrahim said schools are encouraged to show solidarity for Palestine but the programmes should be controlled to avoid problems.
SEPANG: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for better control of Palestine solidarity programmes in schools amid reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
“We have to control this. We discussed this in the Cabinet meeting. We encourage schools to do this (show solidarity) but we do not force them.
“Secondly, we have to control it so it won’t become a problem,” he told reporters after Friday prayers.
A 55-second video that went viral on social media showed an event held in a school involving what appeared to be a man wearing a bulletproof vest, a balaclava mask and pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers into an assembly.
One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.
Several social media screenshots of an event at a school in Klang, which has also gone viral, showed children wearing green bandanas with the words “Save Palestine” across their forehead while carrying toy guns.
In response, the Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) told the education ministry to provide a stern warning against schools who were involved in allowing the students to bring toy guns for Palestine solidarity week.
Magpie chairman Mak Chee Kin said the incident is worrying as children should be instilled with positive values.
“Please leave the young ones alone and let the leaders tackle this issue (Palestine and Israel conflict),” Mak told FMT.
Separately, when asked about an MP’s call for the government to boycott the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Week happening next month, Anwar said: “We’ll look at the situation and then decide.”
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Bersatu’s Machang MP, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, urged Putrajaya to boycott the event as a sign of the country’s protest against the US government’s stance on the conflict in Gaza.
‘Control’ Palestine Solidarity Week activities, PM says after toy gun furore
Govt won’t force all schools to participate, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim adds
Updated 3 minutes ago · Published on 27 Oct 2023 5:44PM
Activities held during Palestine Solidarity Week in schools under the Education Ministry need to be controlled and monitored, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes file pic, October 27, 2023
BY The Vibes Team
KUALA LUMPUR – Activities held during Palestine Solidarity Week in schools under the Education Ministry (MoE) need to be controlled and monitored, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister was quoted as saying that “we need to ensure that it doesn’t become a problem”.
“We discussed this in the cabinet meeting earlier today.
“...we encourage the organisation of such programmes, but we won’t force all schools to participate,” he added.
Anwar’s comments followed the surfacing of images of pupils brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for Palestine Solidarity Week.
The photos have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists and members of the public, with Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar cautioning that teachers are not trained to conduct such programmes.
Urging MoE to cease the programme, he said efforts to generate awareness on such conflicts should be universal and not limited to any particular ones.
Criticism has also been levelled against MoE’s Palestine Solidarity Week for its potential ramifications stemming from the educators’ own lack of understanding of Palestinian resistance.
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories such as Gaza and the West Bank has long been condemned by human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Its ongoing brutal escalation of airstrikes on Gaza following armed resistance group Hamas’ unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 has been deemed by Israeli historian Raz Segal as “textbook genocide”.
One of such bombings by the Israeli army killed at least 16 Palestinian Christians at the St Porphyrius Church in Gaza on October 19, Al Jazeera reported.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Segal said: “Without the historical context of Israeli settler colonialism since the 1948 Nakba, we cannot explain how we got here”.
Users on social media platform X have also criticised the government for conducting the Palestine Solidarity Week without ratifying the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Refugees, which would allow Palestinian refugees to obtain formal education in government schools. – The Vibes, October 27, 2023
Stop Palestine solidarity events in schools, says parents group
PAGE’s Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim says children carrying toy guns were an example of what could go wrong with such events.
Shahrul Shahabudin - 27 Oct 2023, 11:35pm
PAGE’s Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said there were concerns over the appropriateness of programmes such as the Palestine solidarity events in schools. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: The government has been urged to stop holding Palestine solidarity programmes in schools following reports of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.
Parent Action Group for Education (PAGE) chairman Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said there were concerns over the appropriateness of such programmes in schools.
She said the photos and videos of children carrying guns were an example of what could go wrong with such events.
One 55-second video that went viral showed what appeared to be a man pointing a toy rifle at students while leading a group of teachers waving Palestinian flags into an assembly.
There were also photos of children at a separate school wearing bandanas bearing the words “Save Palestine” and carrying toy guns.
“Students are being used. Such programmes should be stopped immediately,” Noor Azimah told FMT.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for better control of Palestine solidarity programmes in schools to avoid causing any issues.
The education ministry had said the events in the photos and videos which went viral were not in line with the ministry’s guidelines.
It also said it was held outside of the Palestine Solidarity Week between Oct 29 and Nov 3.
The ministry said it would not compromise with any extremist activities and that the use of toy guns or the portrayal of provocative logos was not allowed.
MALAYSIA
[UPDATED] Activists lambast ‘horrifying’ images of pupils toting toy guns
Selective support, concerns on domestic economy among issues raised about Palestine Solidarity Week
Updated 2 minutes ago · Published on 27 Oct 2023 3:19PM
Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar has called on the Education Ministry to put a stop to the programme, saying that the way the activities were carried out was not age-appropriate. Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim has also taken the government to task for enforcing the programme in schools. – Screen grab pic, October 27, 2023
BY Jason Santos
KUALA LUMPUR – Images of primary school students brandishing toy guns resembling M-16s and dressing up as militants, believed to be taken during preparations for the Education Ministry’s (MoE) Palestine Solidarity Week, have promptly garnered backlash from concerned activists.
Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar has called on the Education Ministry to put a stop to the programme, saying that the way the activities were carried out was not age appropriate.
“The pictures of the young pupils can be seen clearly…they are just primary school children believed (to be) from a school in Klang, posted on WhatsApp by a person named ‘Cikgu Nisa’…
This is horrifying, unimaginable and shocking. This is what all of us were worried about, just like the concerns raised by the NGOs from Sabah and Sarawak,” said Shashi.
Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim took the government to task for enforcing the programme in schools.
Calling the scenes “sick”, she said: “Are we training jihadis now in our schools? What’s with the weapons and all?”
She said this is exactly the reason why there is opposition to the ministry’s directive on Palestine Solidarity Week.
MoE had earlier issued a notice dated October 21, calling for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause.
The notice from the office of the Deputy Director-General of Education singled out six proposed activities to be carried out in all schools.
Untrained teachers, selective solidarity
Shashi cautioned that the teachers are not trained to conduct them.
He said efforts to generate awareness on such conflicts should be universal and not limited to any particular ones.
“They (teachers) are not trained at all. If they want to conduct these programmes, they can call it solidarity week, excluding the word ‘Palestine’.
They can do it on humanitarian grounds. Other parts of the world are also experiencing crises, like Yemen or Syria,” he said.
Worry about sanctions, plummeting domestic economy
Shashi also questioned why the Malaysian government is indulging in the Palestinian cause when the domestic economy is in critical condition.
He cautioned about the possibility of economic sanctions being imposed on Malaysia by the European Union.
“Malaysia is just recovering from the pandemic…many are still jobless and suffering until today.
“Many cannot buy basic needs like rice, chicken, eggs. All the prices have gone up.
Our economy is now in a very bad shape. Look at the US dollar and Singapore dollar,” he said.
Shashi said Malaysians, including the non-Muslims, have come forth to assist the innocent in the region, but bringing the conflict into our local schools is wrong.
Palestinian cause: anti-colonialism
Criticism has also been levelled against MoE’s Palestine Solidarity Week for its potential ramifications stemming from the educators’ own lack of understanding of Palestinian resistance.
Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories such as Gaza and the West Bank has long been condemned by human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Its ongoing brutal escalation of airstrikes on Gaza following armed resistance group Hamas’ unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 has been deemed by Israeli historian Raz Segal as “textbook genocide”.
One of such bombings by the Israeli army killed at least 16 Palestinian Christians at the St Porphyrius Church in Gaza on October 19, Al Jazeera reported.
In an opinion piece for The Guardian, Segal said: “Without the historical context of Israeli settler colonialism since the 1948 Nakba, we cannot explain how we got here”.
Tagging Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, X user @nadsmarhaen said: “If this is what is meant by ‘solidarity with Palestine’, it’s obvious that Malaysia’s solidarity with Palestine is not based on any basic understanding of Palestine’s anti-colonial struggle.”
“This is shameful,” the user added.
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT25th October 2023KEEP INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS OUT OF SCHOOLSA group of NGOs including from Sabah & Sarawak were shocked over a notice from the Minstry of Education dated 21st October 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 NGO's is deeply concerned over this controversial event by a simple administrative ruling without discussions on its appropriatness at Dewan Rakyat or without consulting the parents. The proposed action has not been adequately considered for its long term impact. We NGO's here are seemingly reflecting community views as well.We are looking at the seriousness of dragging school children's in becoming part of the global, grown up adult world of protests and not subject young minds getting embroiled in this Middle East crisis.We caution that the six propositions can go wrong and be a cause for concern and 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 had gone viral on 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 other 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 (CRC) in 17th February 1995 and under Article 29, which 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 has raised their concerns that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister 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 peace keeping 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 bare in mind regards to many Malaysians travelling abroad would be subjected visa refusals getting crutunize or any sort of other danger of 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.List of NGO's In Support of This Collective Press Statement:1. Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) Deputy President- Peter John Jaban2. Dato' RRM KrishnanPresidentPersatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Tamil Malaysia (PERTAMA)3. Daniel John Jambun President Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)4. Bill Jugah, President, ICON - Independent Coalition Of Natives, Sarawak5. Kanul Gindol Chairman Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo6. Cleftus Stephen Mojingol President Pertubuhan kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah7. Jovilis Majami President Persatuan pembangunan sosial komunity Sabah (BANGUN)8. Voon Lee Shan President party Bumi Kenyalang Sarawak.9. Dominique Ng, President, Sarawak Association for People's Aspirations10.Thomas Patrick.Sec GeneralPersatuan Kebajikan Persaudaraan Sahabat Miri Sarawak.11. Valentino NgabongPresidentPersatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak12.Badindang Lai Upeng(President)Gerempung Raban Dayak Kuching13. Tan Boon Tak (President)Malaysia Chinese Educated Students Association)14. Arun Dorasamy (Chairman- Centre for Education Excellence - Hindu Agamam Ani Msia)ti Kasim - Founder MAJU16. Brig Gen Dato Mohamed Arshad RajiPersatuan Patriot Kebangsaan17.Dato Fabian WongVice president forPersatuan Veteran Tentera Kor RenjerSarawak Patriots Association.The Society for Kuching Urban Poor.18. Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin SamadChairman,Board of TrusteesSabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR)
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