Support opposition and face action, minister warns teachers, officials

Updated 6 years ago · Published on 19 Jan 2018 1:40PM · 17 Comments

Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid says civil servants, education department officers and teachers are barred from joining any opposition party or criticising the government. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 19, 2018.

TEACHERS and Education Ministry officers have been warned not to support the opposition, Kwong Wah reports today.

According to the Chinese language newspaper, Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid told the teachers and officers that disciplinary action would be taken against them if they backed the opposition.

Civil servants, education department officers and teachers are barred from joining any opposition party or criticising the government, he said. 

It would be tantamount to sabotaging and tarnishing the government’s image, he added.

He cited the example of a state education department officer who criticised the government on Facebook and how it went viral on social media before it was picked up by the media.

“We had to take swift action in that case although he was not suspended. The way he criticised showed the amount of contempt he had for the government.

“I also found out that one of the school principals was a PKR leader and another officer held a position in PAS. This is not allowed,” he said in Putrajaya yesterday.

Education personnel should focus on reforming the education system and if they had any complaint, should take it to the ministry directly or go through the National Union of Teaching Profession of Malaysia (NUTP).

The Padang Terap MP said those who were against the government should resign before the ministry asked them to do so.

“We won’t allow any of our officers to join any opposition party or hold any party post. But it’s okay if they were to join the government.” – January 19, 2018.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Threats like this from a minister should be illegal. When will he be hauled up?

    Posted 6 years ago by Kar Yee Ho · Reply

  • This guy should haul up for making threats. Each and every citizen has a right to support whichever political party they want. And equally to criticize any policy or any politician for what they believe in. This is nothing but intimidation and the police and EC must take action against this criminal intimidation

    Posted 6 years ago by HC Lung · Reply

  • Moron would be too good a word to describe him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • THIS IS HARRASMENT AND ABUSE. Legally, its not different than what Harvey Weinstein did.

    Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • He might think that his job is permanent.

    Posted 6 years ago by Koka Kola · Reply

  • Is this a communist country?

    Posted 6 years ago by Orenji Lingo · Reply

  • If he did indeed make those statements, then all the more he should be kicked out of the administration come GE14. For that matter who is he to make such statements when his own job is also on the line. It is this kind of trash who never fought for his seat that take things for granted. He thinks he's safely entrenched in his job, Well, think again, bodoh!! For making such threats to teachers we the voters should alll the more ensure that he does not come back again as the Education minister. Ensure that the likes of him never again hold office in the new cabinet.

    Posted 6 years ago by GOH MICHAEL · Reply

  • Oi, this is not a communist country. Have you leant this tactic from Chinese Communists?

    Posted 6 years ago by Awang Top · Reply

    • Communist is actually waay better and people oriented that's why it is called Communism... from its simplest root meaning 'to commune' , communal.
      What this asshole abive is practising pure Draconian Arabian Islamic hudud bs where the

      Posted 6 years ago by Qwerty Que · Reply

  • ///Civil servants, education department officers and teachers are barred from joining any opposition party or criticising the government, he said. ///-the minister. The question for the minister is are they allowed to join the government parties and voice support for the government. If they are allowed, then this is against the constitution to have double standards. If they are not, it is again wrong not to have mentioned it. In short, the minister is irresponsible!

    Posted 6 years ago by Meng Kow Loh · Reply

  • With all due respect, this is a very intimidating statement coming from an Education Minister. Think before you says not says n think.



    Posted 6 years ago by Abdul Rahman Abdul Razak · Reply

  • This statement from an Education Ministry is unacceptable!!! He's just another laughing stock of the current Administration. How does he knows who the teachers are voting for? Beats me....

    Posted 6 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • Violence stems from provocation. It is the 'seed' that sets the atmosphere. It is the effect not the cause. A tinderbox situation. No?

    Please know the provoking agent. Are they for peace or otherwise?

    Case in point:

    1.Teachers, civil servants are now threatened dismissal if they don't support the incumbent. Be compliant or lose your job.

    2. Political party application are denied registration or deliberately delayed to precipitate anger.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arun Paul · Reply

  • I'm compelled on setting-up an account just to comment on this bagero article here. Mahdzir Khalid,WTF This? People reading it would assume we are in a state similiar to North Korea. I'm a pro-goverment supporter just like you,but this ridiculous statement sounds like those communist our government and allies crushed long ago . .I wish on relevant legal actions be thrown upon you , provided the genuine source of the published article.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kesh Sgh · Reply

  • To all teachers and government servants...you have your own rights as any other citizens of the country.
    Being teachers...you are the most important citizen and whom we trust our children, the future of our country to be formally educated. We thank you for your sacrifices.

    It is also our responsibility to safeguard our beloved country especially from people who threaten and hold others ransom.

    View it from a different perspective...you are not voting against the government..because the current will not be the next government....so vote for the next government....and this bastard will not your minister.anymore.

    Posted 6 years ago by Putra Kraken · Reply

  • Corrupted minister fear of losin power...this is worst than hitler s 3rd reich regime...

    Posted 6 years ago by Malay expert Ahmad · Reply

  • The Minister does not seem to know anything about democratic process and principles. His Ministry officials are citing the General Orders. They, like the Minister, are also ignoramuses. It is a shame.
    The general Orders simply says high-ranking officers cannot take part in politics. If they want to, they should resign.
    Taking part in politics is different from voting in an election. A voter can vote for a leader or candidate of his own choice. it is his democratic rght A voter can vote anyone he or she likes. The Minister has no right or authority to threaten voters. The civi servants must understand the concept of the neutrality of the civil service right. They should read my notes on the concept- acces my website at: www.peterdjohnson.net

    Posted 6 years ago by Peter Johnson · Reply