KUCHING: The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan branch has come out in support of party president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian’s opposition to the observation of Palestine Solidarity Week in schools.
Its Chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok hit out at the Ministry of Education for merely paying lip service and downplaying the gross incompetence displayed by its staff who have actively promoted violence and glorified war in schools.
“We reiterate that as citizens of Malaysia, we send our children to school to learn skills that will help them navigate life in adulthood.
“Never have we, as citizens, mandated our children to be radicalised and tainted with warmongering and acts of gross violence,” he said in a statement yesterday (Oct 29).
Calling for the cancellation of the Palestine Solidarity Week in schools, he said there is also need to reprimand of the education minister and the schools concerned as a demonstration of the Madani government’s commitment to showing zero tolerance for this unacceptable outcome.
“We support and sympathise with the citizens of Palestine for the atrocities being committed against them and their children.
“We also condemn Israel and the Zionist regime for their continued cruelty in Palestine and their disproportionate response to the conflict over the years.
“Nevertheless, this is not an excuse to involve impressionable children at their formative ages in matters that even great world leaders have yet to resolve,” he said.
He emphasised that Malaysia is a multiracial country and that if children begin to believe that violence solves problems, the country may head toward a violent civil war one day.
Remaining silent about the recent events may hasten this dire outcome, he warned.
“Once again, we urge the Education Minister to take full responsibility and send a clear message that these missteps have serious implications and consequences for our children and the country. The Madani government must take responsibility,” he said.
Previously, Dr Sim said that the MoE’s move urging schools to implement and observe a solidarity week in support of Palestine was wrong and inappropriate.
He stressed that if the MoE wants to campaign for the Palestinians, there are other avenues to do so without involving schools.
Dr Sim also said that the MoE’s instructions do not align with Sarawakian values.
