Don’t sensationalise separate canteens issue, says Maszlee

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 7 years ago · Published on 26 Nov 2018 5:57PM · 5 Comments

Education Minister Mazlee Malik says the Malacca school is an exception to the rule. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, November 26, 2018.

THE media should not sensationalise “negative news”, such as the separate canteens at a Malacca school issue, said Education Minister Mazlee Malik.

Instead, the media should highlight the fact that most schools practice fair policies.

On The Malaysian Insight’s recent report highlighting the Malacca school’s policy of having separate cooking and dining areas for Muslims and non-Muslims, Maszlee said the focus should be on the fact that the majority of public schools in Malaysia only have one canteen.

“We have many mission schools and vernacular schools, and when they are not facing any issues, we have to promote the fact they have no problems with unity,” he said at the Parliament lobby today.

“In writing media reports, don’t sensationalise the negative just for the sake of it; this is only one (case).

“A thousand others are good, (so) highlight those cases to serve as examples.”

The Malaysian Insight’s report, however, while highlighting the issue at SMK St Francis in Malacca, also mentions that it is one of at least four other mission schools and a handful of vernacular schools in the state that have a secondary canteen specially for Muslim pupils and staff.

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong confirmed that more than one school in the state had two canteens, when, responding to the report, said there was “nothing wrong” with the practice as it was done out of respect for Muslims. – November 26, 2018.

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Comments

  • That is a problem every MPs will evade concerns by deflating it as being sensitive or will jeopardise the unity. Enough of that bullshits. It is exasperating when we hear Minister are not offering solutions to stop all this seem as innocent actions but which are conclusively detrimental to foster racial difference unity at young age. What the heck and freaking negative when the media is helping to eradicate such nonsensical and racial segregation by the young ones in a food canteen where they are suppose to be carefree and noisy with a break in between, We should allow the the intermixing freely and what you can't eat you don't eat and not by seperation of another cateen or imaginary fencing to protect their faith. Are their lesson taught in religious class ,in the home or the extra religious tution not enough to maintain their faith whereby they need to ostrcise others further to maintain their beliefs that others are not on par. You are totally useless as an Education Minister. You are just destroying what the old man is trying so hard to break barriers and nurtured a new forward Malaysian Race. You better resign.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Poor soul, looks quite subdued?..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Mazlee like Hadi, has impressive degrees all in Islamic studies. How much he learn education in earthly world. Like Hadi, they tend to talk nonsense and illogical BS.

    Posted 7 years ago by Jackal Way · Reply

  • Education Minister never intend to improve race relations in school but keep on diverting Rakyat attention. Have backbone and resolve this matter as let school be a place for education and not religious segregation.

    This minister is really under performing!!!

    Posted 7 years ago by Bond James · Reply

  • He should be thanking the media for highlighting the issue. As it is, he is still unaware of it. How to correct a wrong without knowing about it? If Malaysia wants an integrated society, this kind of segregation must be nipped in the bud. He should close down the 2nd Muslims-only canteen. And those who are uncomfortable in missionary schools, take your children out to National Schools. There is no compulsion. The choice is yours. The PH government must stand up to the bigots and not give in and give face to them or national unity will never be achieved even till kingdom come.

    Posted 7 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply