Ramasamy refutes MGS Christian prayer allegation

Zaim Ibrahim Zaim Ibrahim Updated 4 years ago · Published on 2 Oct 2019 2:30PM · 11 Comments

Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy says no prayers of any kind were read out during the awards ceremony at Methodist Girls’ School, George Town, last week. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 2, 2019.

PENANG Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy has weighed into the Christian prayer row, involving the Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) in George Town, saying it was only a speech on unity, which had been read out at a school event, and nothing more.

According to Ramasamy, who is in charge of the state education portfolio, he was informed by the school authorities that the unity speech was read out because there had been some racial issues in the school.

He also said the school board had decided against holding any prayers for the prize giving ceremony last week, which was held at the KDU campus next to the school.

“On that day, there had been no prayers citation at all. What they had was only a speech on unity which the school administration and board had planned.

“There were no prayers – not Christian prayers, not Muslim prayers – it was only a unity speech,” he said in a press conference today.

He said the school decided on the unity theme for the event because it wanted to improve ties between Muslim and non-Muslim students.

Two speeches were assigned to speakers: one to a Christian member of the school board and another to a Muslim member.

However, the Muslim member had not prepared a speech on time and only the speech by the Christian member was delivered, Ramasamy said.

The school has come under fire after a police report was lodged by a local man, Muhsin Abdul Latheef, 35, last Friday, claiming that Christian prayers were held during the event.

He accused the school of attempting to proselytise to Muslim pupils there, and in his police report, said there were 347 Muslim pupils and only 161 non-Muslims. He also said there were 26 Muslim teachers and 14 non-Muslim teachers.

The school is now in the limelight with a police investigation pending and a warning from the director-general of education.

Some Muslim parents have said they plan to transfer their children out of SK (P) Methodist next year.

Ramasamy added that the speech was given to strengthen the spirit of unity between students and parents.

“There were some issues of some Muslim students buying food only from Muslim food operators, and not from others,” he said, adding that a Muslim operated the school canteen.

“The lack of good ties between the Muslim and non-Muslim students had been worrying the school,” he said.

Ramasamy also urged the Education Ministry not to be hasty in punishing the school.

“The ministry says it will investigate the incident, but I hope that they will be careful.

“Don’t issue statements with haste, don’t punish the school before knowing the facts about what actually happened,” he said.

On Sunday, Education director-general Dr Amin Senin issued a press statement, reprimanding the school for flouting a circular on guidelines for mission schools.

He also said the ministry was considering disciplinary action against the school.

Police have started investigating the matter after 10 police reports were lodged against the school. – October 2, 2019.

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Comments

  • Even if its a simple prayer how can it be seen as proselytising to muslim? If at all they do not wish to listen to prayers of another faith, then they should also stop doing it in public as well. It doesn't make you holier than thou! Hyprocrites!

    Posted 4 years ago by JAMES BOND · Reply

  • By no means transfer to another school.
    This is a Christian School

    Posted 4 years ago by Charis W · Reply

    • Surely a tahfiz school would be more appropriate for some?

      Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • We are going down a very slippery slope and instead of arresting the slide, the government is simply ratcheting up the tension by scapegoating the school administration. IF it is found that the accusation is without merit the mamak who made the report should be punished for making a false report.

    Posted 4 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

    • It appears that the nation and its leaders are unable to arrest the slide in interracial relations. It is time for the government to carry out damage control measures.

      Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • That the unfounded police report of a sole, hitherto unknown idiot, could cause a national problem ...
    If Ramasamy says is true, would the authorities take action agst that the idiot who lodged the report, seeing that it tantamounts to a false one?

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • It is most unbecoming of the Education, a Ph D holder to issue a reprimand and a threat to MGS without waiting for an investigation and its findings. It smacks if overreaction and a lack of objective decision making in assuming the school as being guilty without evidence. It is also very disturbing for a Ph d holder to jump to conclusions without the backing of factual evidence and also a bias against a misdionary school with impeccable credentials. It is hoped that Minister Maslee will restore sanity and credibility for the good of his ministry and its director general. Most important of all the harmony of our nation and that among its races in the schools must be defended and nurtured at all cost.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

    • Maybe his PHD stands for Permanent Head Damage, in which case he should be retired instantly and permanently.

      Posted 4 years ago by Leong Hong · Reply

    • Do remember what his PhD is in. Could a cretin think?

      Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

  • Golongan orang seperti itu sekiranya dapat biasiswa untuk belajar di Oxford, Cambridge ataupun MIT agak pun akan buat susah. Lebih baik diam di gua.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • how can Muslims attend a Methodist school in the first place?

    Posted 4 years ago by Raymond Cheah · Reply