The solidarity week debacle raises the question of whether ministers are in control or whether elements of the civil service are operating on their own terms.
Overzealousness on the part of several schools in the country in connection with their Palestine Solidarity Week programme may have exposed an area of concern in the Malaysian civil service and the country’s education system.
The solidarity week was meant to run from Oct 29 to Nov 3. Overeager organisers beat the gun after a video clip of one such event went viral 10 days before the campaign was scheduled to start. Likewise, schools would never have carried out such programmes without first receiving an official directive.
But will any action be taken against those responsible for violating guidelines in a misplaced show of religious fervour? Or will there be soft-pedalling on actions that have marred the image of our teachers, schools and the education system simply to appease the conservative vote bank, for fear of a backlash if action is taken?DAP, a senior partner in the unity government, took more than a week to say its piece, a far cry from how swiftly the party used to act when in the opposition.
Schools in Sabah and Sarawak have now been told by their state governments that the solidarity week programme is not compulsory, while the head of mission schools has announced that they will skip the directive. The coalitions leading these two states also form part of the unity government.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alterations to the Kelantan State Structure Plan, Local Plan and Special Area Plan — WWF-MalaysiaNOVEMBER 3 — On October 11, the Kelantan Town and Country Planning Department drafted alterations to the Kelantan State Structure Plan, Local Plan and Special Area Plan. After...
Read more »
Fifteen injured in gas pipeline accident in state of New YorkMOSCOW: Fifteen people were injured when a gas line ruptured and started a fire at a building in the village of Wappingers Falls in the state of New Y...
Read more »
PM: Unity government will uphold monarchy, no state marginalisedPUTRAJAYA: A former chief executive officer of TH Heavy Engineering Bhd was sent to prison on Friday (Nov 3) to begin serving a five-year jail sentence after the Court of Appeal here upheld his conviction on three counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) and two counts of money laundering totalling RM1.57mil.
Read more »
Sarawak open to hosting of events on food, culture, performing arts, says state tourism ministerKUCHING, Nov 4 ― The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts welcomes anyone who wishes to host events that encompass food, culture and performing arts in...
Read more »
Sabah mulls use of state land to build affordable homesA private tutor who molested two of his male pupils was sentenced to 53 months’ jail on Friday.
Read more »
Amid war, US renews talk of Palestinian state but prospects bleakWASHINGTON, Nov 4 — With Israel’s campaign against Hamas raging, the United States has renewed calls to work toward a Palestinian state, but few expect success now after...
Read more »