Barring opposition MPs from schools a BN relic, says Nik Nazmi

Updated 7 years ago · Published on 20 Nov 2018 10:43AM · 5 Comments

PKR MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad says that despite serving as the Selangor exco for education from 2014-2018, he was barred from entering schools in the state and had once been forced to pretend to be a student to enter a forum held in Universiti Malaya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 20, 2018.

PKR lawmaker Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad slammed fellow Pakatan Harapan leader and Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik for replicating one of Barisan Nasional’s “worst abuses” by barring opposition MPs from entering from public schools without prior permission.

In a statement today, Nik Nazmi said the new federal government must adopt more open policies “to take the moral high ground”.

“I cannot agree with the stance taken by Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who said in Parliament that opposition legislators must apply for permission from his ministry via the relevant state Education Department director before they can enter government schools.

“Barring opposition figures from schools and other institutions of learning was one of the worst abuses under the previous BN government,” he said.

Nik Nazmi said despite serving as the Selangor exco for education from 2014-2018, he was barred from entering schools in the state and had once been forced to pretend to be a student to enter a forum held in Universiti Malaya.

He said that lawmakers who abused their positions by spreading lies or inciting hatred can be dealt with by the law, but urged the new government not to adopt the oppressive rules of the previous administration.

“The minister ought to know better. He certainly should be more open-minded. New Malaysia must be different. We must do better in this and all things,” said the Setiawangsa MP.

Yesterday, Maszlee said opposition MPs must get approval from state education authorities before they would be allowed to enter public schools.

Speaking to reporters later, he said that the decision was to prevent the spreading of hateful remarks against the government. – November 20, 2018.

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Comments

  • Maszlee needs to think and reflect better. Ban all politicians from schools, let children focus on schooling rather than making time for politicians out to make a statement. Why do politicians need to be in school anyway? What good do any of them bring to school children? If they need to have a function, do it after school hours and children can choose to attend.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lawman will · Reply

  • Stop being a hypocrite and trying to show off the polirical correctnesss in administration. Why don't you open your invitation to ISIS or Al-Queda to freely visit schools. What Maszlee did do show some credibility and a prevention actions as Umno and PAS are up to no good especially just after the GE14. Eventho' Maszlee is a weak Education Minister but he has not let down his guard to ensure school children are reset to the new system and no more easily influence by selfish politicians. Requesting permission is better than the previous Umno where one is totally barred without reasons. Tell that to LGE !!! I am pretty sure most politician will agreed to that

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • We don't want things go out of controls like the Malay's proverb says "lembu punya susu sapi dapat nama".

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiagarajan Ramasamy · Reply

  • After almost 6 mths in office as minister and plenty of time on-job-training, where mistakes were made, i as one of the many Malaysians who voted for CHANGE, I am starting to wonder if certain ministers are well equipped to be a minister. Some ministers are not up to it.

    Posted 7 years ago by Raghu Thiyagarajan · Reply

  • There must be a clear guideline and every politicians and political parties must adhere to it. Minister, Deputy Minister and other government officials on official duty thats completely different. Similar guideline to be applied for all state government officials including non PH states

    Posted 7 years ago by NA Bayezid · Reply