PAS’ criticism of brewery funding of vernacular schools raises questions whether the party leaders really understand the issues at hand, said P Ramasamy.

The Urimai leader said the issue was not about funding of vernacular schools by breweries, but how they have been treated by the government in power.

“I thought PAS with national aspirations is opening up to get the support of the non-Malays. 

“But unfortunately, PAS’ criticism of the funding by the brewery in the case of the Chinese school in Sepang raises questions whether the party leaders really understand the issues at hand.

“PAS leaders should have questioned the government about its unfair distribution of funds to vernacular schools,” the former Penang deputy chief minister (ll) said in a statement today.

He added that the stance by PAS leaders on this issue raises questions if they are prepared to accept the rights of non-Malays in the country. 

He also said that PAS’ top leadership should stop party leaders who are engaged in cheap politics if they are serious about getting the support of the non-Malays.

The former DAP leader said that if the federal government had provided necessary funding for Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools, there would be no need for schools to turn to breweries and tobacco companies for funding.

A brewery’s sponsorship of a Chinese school charity event recently has fuelled public debate on whether schools should accept donations from proceeds from alcohol, cigarette and gambling sales.

PAS were among the vocal critics on this, saying that breweries should not be funding any schools as it “normalises alcohol consumption”. 

Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong, meanwhile, responded by saying that breweries have been funding Chinese schools for decades, and accused PAS of heightening racial tensions.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek had reportedly said that no exemptions will be given for schools to receive funds from tobacco or alcohol sponsors.

It was recently reported that Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu had attended an event by a Chinese school in Sungai Pelek, which is in her constituency.

One of the sponsors of the event was a famous beer brand.

The Education Ministry said it would investigate the school for receiving donations from a beer brand.

Ramasamy said he was also against the funding of vernacular schools by breweries.

“Funding of Chinese and Tamil schools by breweries or tobacco companies is not good for the image of these schools where children are taught and socialised on acceptable values and morals.

“Obtaining funding from breweries and tobacco companies for schools might send a wrong message to children.

“However, it is not the question of whether the vernacular schools can accept or not funding from breweries, but rather the way these schools are treated in the country by the government in power,” he said. – July 25, 2024.