4 November 2006
Schools sowing seeds of disunity
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam is saddened by the reports in the New Straits Times on 2nd and 4th November 2006 regarding the directives by the SK Bukit Jelutong primary school in Shah Alam prohibiting non Muslim children from bringing "wet food" to school.
This directive shows that Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak's recent statement that "the overall administrative structure and instruments which shaped the country's policies since day one that have contributed to peace and harmony" (NST, 31st October 2006) is now becoming more a relic of history rather than a reflection of our current selves.
How do we teach our children the values of respect and understanding between religions if we do these kinds of things? What has happened to Malaysia that school authorities no longer trust parents and children to respect the diet of other races? How is it respectful of all religions if only one religion's beliefs are respected?
For 49 years, we have had open houses and communal 'makan' sessions in offices and schools. Everyone has brought food, and it is expected that we know enough about each other's religion not to offend others by bringing food unsuitable to them.
The teaching staff are unfortunately a sad reflection of Malaysian society today, where many people no longer have the same basic respect, compassion and mutual understanding that has brought Malaysia these 49 years of peace and harmony.
Schools, rather than becoming the nursing grounds for nurturing national unity amongst our next generation, seem to now be becoming the breeding grounds for disunity and hate.
Datuk A. Vaithilingam
President
Malaysia Hindu Sangam