TEACHERS have the right to freedom of association, Sarawak opposition leaders said as they slammed Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid for warning teachers and education ministry officers not to support the opposition.

“This is against the democratic rights of an individual to support any political party of his or her choice,” PKR state chief Baru Bian said.

He said Mahdzir’s warning was tantamount to a threat and was wrong.

Mahdzir was quoted as saying by Chinese newspaper Kwong Wah today that teachers, who are civil servants, and officers would face ‘action’ if they backed the opposition.

“I may agree to the fact that one may not be allowed to openly criticise the government of the day and that may be governed by some General Orders, but definitely it’s unconstitutional for the minister to threaten the teachers not to support the opposition,” Baru, the Ba Kelalan assemblyman said.

“The (government) General Orders allow certain officers up to certain grades to join any political party of their choice.

“The minister does not seem to know the difference between a political party and the government of the day.

“He is a politically confused minister to say the least.”

Meanwhile, Kelvin Yii of Sarawak DAP said the education minister’s warning was “unconstitutional as it violates the right and freedom of association of every citizen in Malaysia, including teachers and public servants”.

“There is no such thing as blind loyalty in a democratic country and such threats shows the total disregard of the Barisan Nasional government for the fundamental rights of every citizen,” said Yii, who is special advisor to DAP Sarawak chief Chong Chieng Jen

The Pakatan Harapan candidate-designate for the Stampin seat in the coming general election said public servants, including teachers, are the backbone of every department and ministry, and their responsibility is towards the interest people of Malaysia, and not a political party or even the ruling government.

Mahdzir was also reported to have said civil servants joining any opposition party or criticising the government would be tantamount to sabotaging and tarnishing the government’s image. – January 19, 2018.