Meeting to discuss racist remarks by another HM
The Star
Saturday August 21, 2010
SUNGAI PETANI: The Kedah Education Department is organising a meeting between parents and authorities of a school here following complaints that the principal had scolded non-Malay students for eating outside the school canteen.
Its director Shahidan Abd Rahman said he had spoken to the school principal involved after learning about the incident on Thursday.
“We will call a meeting soon on the matter, involving him, the parent-teacher association and parents of the students concerned,” he said here yesterday.
In the incident, the principal had allegedly scolded 10 Form Three students for eating outside the school canteen at about 7am before classes began.
The students were eating outside because the lights in the canteen were not switched on.
The principal had purportedly told them off for “not respecting” their Muslim friends and that they “should return to their country of origin if they did not show such respect”.
Merbok MCA division secretary Chow Kok Leong, who received complaints from the parents, claimed that the principal also made similar remarks during the school’s morning assembly the next day.
He said there were about 80 non-Malay students at the school, which has an enrolment of 780.
“Such remarks should not be made as Malaysia is a multi-racial country and a principal is someone who holds an esteemed position in the community.
“I acted as mediator for the families and have lodged a report with the Deputy Education Minister (Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong),” he added.
#1 by pulau_sibu on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 9:43 am
Where should we ask this principal to return to? to Palestina? West Bank? Gaza?
#2 by gremlintan on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 10:08 am
Make the changes that we can at the next election. Vote wisely for our government
#3 by yellowkingdom on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 10:22 am
I’m really disturbed with this regressive attitude of bigotry. My daughter aged 9 returned home from school with her water bottle 3/4-full. I often reminded my children to ensure their properly hydrated throughout the day to avoid falling ill. She replied that she cannot drink in class as her Muslim classmates are fasting. This was concurred by my 10-yr old son. I told them to go to a corner and drink. They replied they can’t do that as others can still see them. There is a real fear and present danger of being admonished. My daughter said that her class teacher gave the non-Muslim children 5 seconds to step out of the classroom to drink. She took her teacher’s words seriously and only took a quick sip and rushed back in. I told my children to seek permission to leave the classroom on the pretext of going to the toilet to have their drink.
My kids kept reminding me that they have to be sensitive and respect the Muslims fast. I told them that is right and they are not to tease or deliberately tempt their Muslim friends but they need not be fearful.
I never encountered this situation during my school days. Are the Muslims 3 decades ago more accepting of other cultures? Or are the UMNO-Muslims swayed by the rhetorics spewed by their bigoted leaders.
#4 by sheriff singh on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 10:42 am
Please read this:
http://www.thenutgraph.com/the-parade-of-%E2%80%9Cmuslim-sensitivities%E2%80%9D-where-is-it-taking-us/
#5 by sheriff singh on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 10:51 am
The frightening thing is that all these incidents are taking place in the more rural areas, the countryside and smaller towns.
In the past, people from these areas are more tolerant and live happily side-by-side. Even Penang was very tolerant.
The politics of race and division appear to have spread its tentacles everywhere. When even the next generation of leaders are playing the divide and rule and racial card actively, this does not augur well for the country’s future.
#6 by BoycottLocalPapers on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 11:07 am
Malaysia is a racist apartheid country that is worse than apartheid South Africa. The former apartheid regime in South Africa discriminate people according to race. But in Malaysia, you will be discriminated according to your race and religion.
Flood hit China & Pakistan but nobody in Malaysia care to help. Why?
Because they are not Arab countries.
Why is tabloid paper Utusan Malaysia is telling lies about Lim Guan Eng instead of reporting about flood-hit Pakistan not receiving enough aid from the Arab countries?
20 million people are affected by the flood in Pakistan. The United Nations says 8 million are in need of urgent aid. And yet Malaysians care more about flotilla in Gaza.
What a bunch of hypocrites you are!!!!
Where is the flotilla?
Why Mahathir is not sending any flotilla?
Why Matthias Chang is not heading to Pakistan yet?
Why the mainstream media in Malaysia are not reporting about the plight of the Pakistanis as much as the news about 9 terrorists killed on flotilla yet?
Why only USA, Japan, & UK are sending help to Pakistan?
Where are the Arabs that many in Malaysia idolized?
Why many Malaysians only care about the Palestinians but do not bother to help the Pakistanis?
Is it because they are not Arab?
Malaysian leaders (including Pakatan Rakyat leaders) better not be proud like the Pakistanis! Because if major disaster strikes Malaysia, not many European countries are willing to help you guys! How much more the stingy rich Arab countries.
You should not expect the aid to come from the Arabs as the Arab countries are very stingy as you can see for yourselves the amount of aid coming from Arab countries after Indonesia was hit by Tsunami & Pakistan hit by the flood.
In the end, it will be the Americans & British who will come to your rescue.
So stop racism now!
#7 by k1980 on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:04 pm
#5 BoycottLocalPapers, the Pakis are dark-skinned while the Arabs are light-skinned. I thought everyone knows that already. The Darfurians and Eritreans have been starving for decades but no unmo flottila for those dark-skinned Afros
#8 by House Victim on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:12 pm
I believe fasting was a means to help digestion in the old day of Arab when they had to eat more meat but with limited supply of vegetable in dry dessert area. It should be practiced when necessary and should not be compulsory with all people. People should be taught more on healthy eating with balance of food according to ages, occupations and health situation,etc..
From the health point of view, more meals and less portions are recommended with less in the evening when the digestive system should be resting during the night.
If life are just to obey but not to understand why, then what is the need of having so many subjects in school? Especially to have science or even philosophy?
Is Malaysia having much of the similarity in food and climate as in the old days of Arab such that fasting has to be held as strictly as in the old days of Arab?
Is fasting in day time and heavy eating in the evening more healthy way of eating?
#9 by cemerlang on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:28 pm
To the Middle East where Islam began. That is their Motherland since they do not have a Motherland before Malaysia. Do not tempt the Muslims when they are fasting or else they will sin. We have to help them to fast, to complete their fast and to ensure they finally get to heaven . We non Muslims are Allah’s helpmates and ensure that His teachings for the Muslims are successful. Muslims cannot be saved on their own. They need us to help them to achieve salvation. And if they get to heaven, non Muslims should be proud of helping them to get there.
#10 by Bunch of Suckers on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:28 pm
Absolutely! It is true that we did not have all these craps during our school times! Our Malay classmates & teachers did not mind about when you drink & eat in front of them during fasting periods!
Suddenly, our big racist UMNO propaganda machinery broadcasting and emphasizing all these craps! Even the word, Allah, would like to champion about it!!! If our racist UMNO wanted to avoid all these craps; the Ministry of Education MUST provide a separate Canteen and recession rooms for non-Muslims!!!!!!!!!!!! Simple as that; yet they deliberately ignore it, and then challenge and advocate all these craps! This is show our government with Otak Kosok to lead blindly!
#11 by PoliticoKat on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:38 pm
“should return to their country of origin if they did not show such respect”.
Ah, the sound of malaysian patriotism taking another beating.
Patriotism is not something that is given. It is something that a nation earns from her people.
#12 by frankyapp on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 12:47 pm
I’m of the opinion,non malays should not make such racist remarks againist young malaysian chinese especially in schools by its principal.In an over all scenario,no one race should make racist remark againist each other.Tell me what benefit the country will get by such principal making such racial remark ? Frankly I think prime minister Najib should strongly and publicly denounce such racist remark and issue a statement that all future such remark irrespective of who it’s coming from should be condermed and deal with within the laws of the country immediately.If PM NR just keeping mum,like it’s now,then it’s liken a kind of signal that it’s ok especially for school principal and group like perkasa to do so at will. It’s becoming pretty ironic for Najib to promoting 1malaysia daily that he’s allowing anti 1malaysia by his own people at the same time.
#13 by yhsiew on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 1:40 pm
Racist headmistress and racist school head are not the “phenomenon” of the 2010s. Way back in 1971 when I was a Form 4 students in an English Boys school in KL, a male Malay teacher threatened to send us (students) back to China if we did not behave properly during the Monday morning assembly. Nobody dared make any complaints against the school because at that time the opposition parties were weak and not many parents were well educated.
The scenario has changed today after so many years. Parents are more aware of their rights and entitlements. They are not afraid to speak out for they know they have the backing of a strong opposition party.
Thanks to parties like DAP and PKR who made people aware of their rights and democratic entitlements down the years.
#14 by frankyapp on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 2:09 pm
sorry mistake,my apology,it should read “malays and not non malays”
#15 by ReformMalaysia on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 2:34 pm
“……The principal had purportedly told them off for “not respecting” their Muslim friends and that they “should return to their country of origin if they did not show such respect”…..”
Return to their country of origin? These students’ country of origin is Malaysia! They are born here… so isn’t their country of origin is Malaysia?…….
That school principal is sick! She should return to Indonesia!
…..“not respecting” their Muslim friends? ….If you are really “fasting”… you should be able to face all the temptation! That is nothing to do with another person acts or behaviour…..the devil don’t stop giving temptations to human beings just because you are fasting!….
#16 by dagen on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 2:40 pm
My prediction for Sunday Utusan Ridiculous News Headline:
“Umno: all eateries in the country to close during fasting month as a sign of respect.”
#17 by cemerlang on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 2:41 pm
Students are the rakyat didahulukan. Therefore they should voice out. Not just racism but anything they think it is wrong. Favouritism. Unfairness. Official time being abused. Unprofessionalism. And students must write down the names because if there is no names and only gossips and whisperings go around or just SMS the pengetua, then it is pointless. It is ridiculous looking so professional and yet so unprofessional. Ask yourself Puan. Do you think you are right ? Why do we have all the idiots in position of power ? Idiots leading unlearned minds into the abyss of hell.
#18 by dagen on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 2:58 pm
What about non-muslim’s right to eat three times a day for 7 days a week in 12 months of the year?
I feel sad for having to group all malays into one in this question for I hv always distinguish between malays and umnoputras in all my comments. I always directed my condemnation at umno and umnoputras only. I suppose this is one unfortunate situation where ordinary malays were needlessly drawn into the pic by the selfish, super greedy and power crazy umnoputras.
If we were to apply Mel_a-yu’s earlier stand, i.e. that the moment the Minister or whoever is in-charge/responsible makes a statement the issue must then be closed. Mel_a_yu said that in relation to the non-islam school societies issue. So similarly, when the DG of education announced that the first incident (in kulaijaya) was a result of misunderstanding, the issue must then end. But like the non-islam society issue it was the umno people who refused to let the matter settle, not the rest of us. Look another teacher in another school saw it fit to pass racist remark. Now who is continuing the anti-1malaysia idealogy? Those anti-Jib umno people I presume.
#19 by Loh on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 3:54 pm
The headmaster was jealous that non-Muslims do not have to fast. Well he can always choose to become non-Muslim. Oh! a born Muslims is not allowed to leave the religion. In that case he should fight the system. The constitution allows him to choose to be what he wants. But then he would lose the crutch if he chose to leave Islamic faith. Linda Joy was willing to forgo anything to be a Christian, but she did not have her wishes granted.
The special position of Malays says that not only they are deemed helpless, they have lost their choice on matter concerning their faith. Religion is supposed to be between individual person and their God, but now UMNO is the agent for Allah.
#20 by manusia ada akal on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 4:39 pm
To check these issues, students are adviced to bring recordable devices such as mp3 players to record the speeches during assembly as audio proofs. Nowadays most students have them and they are very tiny.
#21 by bennymat7 on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 5:31 pm
The whole TRUTH is that the Chinese and Indians built Malaya and then Malaysia together with our Malay brothers and sisters.
We are all Immigrants-the HM should look deep into her family roots and see where her forefathers came from- Java,Sumatra , Arab or like Mahathir from India.
The REAL Owners and Tuan Rumah are the Orang Aslis who are the REAL BUMIS.
All our past PM and including PM Najib Razak have praised the non-Malays for their role in securing Independence and developing Malaysia to what it is today.
#22 by somaris on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 5:45 pm
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN MALAYSIA??? When i was in 70s we non muslim have no problem at all in school when come to RAMADAN.we respect each others. we can eat and drink infront of the muslim with no problem . Now oh my GOD . what a malaysia going to be. getting worst and worst. What say u MCA<MIC<GERAKAN<PPP. still want to be with UMNO-BN. U people are shame to the whole MALAYSIAN.GET out of UMNO-BN. DO open ur eyes for all malaysian to live in peaces as one MALAYSIAN like in the 50s . not for UMNO BUMIPUTRA.im not a politician person come from kampong live with nomal live. if i can see this worst why cant u see that. u all are the devils of UMNO BN.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF US AND FOR OUR CHILDREN
#23 by PoliticoKat on Saturday, 21 August 2010 - 9:24 pm
Calling chinese and indian school kids pendatang is nothing new,
When I was in secondary school (1994-1999) a certain group of Malay teachers (including my form teacher) would refer to the non-malays students as pendatang.
Class activities would be organized for the benefit of malay/muslim students. And us pendatang would have to something to amuse ourselves. (I had some good games of chess in those hours)
Before I learned better, I once asked my form teacher what we non-malays where suppose to do.
It is an interesting memory that really coloured my out look of Malaysia. The conversation when something like this…
“Cikgu, bagi murid bukan melayu, apakah kita akan buat?”
“Bagi Pendatang, jangan ganggu activity kelas.”
Now, she didn’t say this in a mean manner. It just rolled off her tongue, I think she really did consider non-malays as Pendatang.. as a fact rather than an insult.
#24 by sudokuku on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 12:11 am
if can in order to help the holiest of the holy, the non can chip in money to sent the holiest group to Mecca in the holy month of Ramadan where they can fasting 24/7 until their ascension to heaven is complete, if the non can keep doing this every year, it will be better for for heaven and earth.
Muslim consider death in the holy month and at the holy land an ultimate blessing.
If anyone is sensitive toward fasting 24/7, just for record the are holy monk doing it and nobody complain.
If a man are to meet his GOD that who are we stop them. hmm think about it.
#25 by sudokuku on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 12:27 am
if non Muslim in Rhetoric to
“should return to their country of origin if they did not show such respect”
said
“Abdul Allah should return to see their Allah the soonest”
or if “Allah” is banned
“Hamba tuhan patut jumpa tuhan nya dengan kadar segera”
what will be the outcome?
any comment?
#26 by sudokuku on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 12:33 am
those who want to belong heaven should go immediately and those who still want to stay on earth should be more human and more humanitarian.
#27 by ALtPJK on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 12:33 am
Muslims all over the world fast during Ramadan without much of a fuss. Probably only in Malaysia can one find a growing group of individuals claiming to be fasting Muslims but yet who are begrudging others (not even of Muslim faith) for not carrying out the same obligation. These individuals feel as if the responsibility rests with them to make such personal sacrifice compulsory for non-Muslims as well in order for them to gain ‘divine brownie points’.
Years ago, such absurdity was virtually unseen with most Muslims then often deploring anyone displaying such intrusive behaviour even to a fellow Muslim. So this latest incident is a sad indictment on the sorry state this country has been brought to by the UMNO/BN government of the last 3 decades.
This is clearly religious bigotry manifesting itself after years of unchecked increase in acquired intolerance among those intoxicated with ‘ketuanan’ big-headedness. One can recall a litany of cases from the alcohol related to the body snatching to controversies involving prayer calls. Every minor incident involving some religious controversy that goes unresolved emboldens many other little wannabe napoleons to out-do the previous one.
And this latest happening in the face of 1Malaise in the month celebrating many merdekas!…WHY am I surprised?.
#28 by k1980 on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 8:10 am
Wonder what would happen should the aborigines of Australia were to declare themselves bumis and impose the NEP on all the whites, calling them pendatangs…… Will the Americans label them as terrorists and send in troops to kill them off as in Afghanstan?
#29 by gst on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 1:07 pm
The basic problem is our education system which promote hatred among childs. The history syllabus controll by chaunist telling lies & hatred history makes minority students shame & hard to swallow the lies.
Please somebody bring this matter out & make sure multi ethnic panel correct the lies and promote 1Malaysia spirit.If not is useless to talk about Malaysian Malaysia or 1& 1Malaysia.
This is good times to bring the news out for better future.
#30 by undertaker888 on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 1:39 pm
Just get rid of umno and bangsat negara, every ills this country experience under this regime will be solved.
#31 by feiloong on Sunday, 22 August 2010 - 9:27 pm
Do YOU agree?
“If PERSON A is in PUASA and
if PERSON B is NOT in PUASA
and PERSON B eat and PERSON B DONT ask PERSON A to eat, that is respect.
If PERSON B ASK PERSON A to eat while knowing PERSON A is in PUASA, that …is not respecting.
In return,
If PERSON B not in PUASA, PERSON A ask us NOT to eat, that is NO respect!
If PERSON A ask us to eat knowing PERSON B is NOT PUASA, that is respect.
BECAUSE PERSON B DID NOT ASK PERSON A TO PUASA AND NO ONE SHALL ASK PERSON B TO PUASA!”
AGREE? Pls share…… :)
feiloong
#32 by rahmanwang on Monday, 23 August 2010 - 12:14 pm
Feiloong, you are correct.The fact here is that there must be mutual respect. One should not eat outside the canteen. That is what the canteen is made for.
Can you imagine eating in the bedroom instead of the dining room in a house? There is a reason for a canteen and the same as a reason for a dining room.
So if a non muslim eats outside the canteen that is not correct, but any non muslim can eat “AT” the canteen any time.
#33 by rahmanwang on Monday, 23 August 2010 - 12:18 pm
The problem here started that the lights is not turned on at the canteen. Is it because of malfunction or because the principal thought there are only 80 non muslim out of 780 students? If that is the case then there is just a misunderstanding. Let’s not make a big matter into an uncontrollable event. This Kedah school case is different to the Johor school.That Johor case is a true case of racist bitch.
#34 by on cheng on Monday, 23 August 2010 - 3:09 pm
If left unchecked, when these nuslim kids grown up, they will demand all non muslim (include non malaysian, tourists etc) to fast with them, if not, they will demand all non muslim go back !, i.e. Japanese go back to Japan, American go back to US , German go back to Germany, etc, etc.
They demand, Malaysia say to all foreign tourists (during ramadan) you must fast or else, dont come to Malaysia!!
that Long distance bus/train driver, aeroplane pilot, doctor doing operation etc, must also fast??
#35 by Loh on Monday, 23 August 2010 - 7:40 pm
The students could be told off for not eating at the right place, but it is certaily not insensitive to Muslims. The person who was not sensitive to others feeling was the headmaster. Muslims students who started fasting had their meals only a few hour ago while the students who had their brakfast has their fast the previous night. Should not the headmaster feel for that the students that they has a full stomach to start their school?
The headmaster certainly did not make his remarks on the basis of correct location for meals. It was purely a case that he suffered practising his religion.