SUPP urges Federal government to give education autonomy back to Sarawak

suppadmin | October 27, 2023

Schools should be a place of learning and it is imperative for schools to maintain their neutrality, for it is within this neutrality that they can continue to provide an inclusive and harmonious environment for all students to acquire knowledge and foster virtuous values, said Sarawak United Peoples party (SUPP) secretary-general, Datuk Sebastian Ting.

Ting who is also Piasau State Assemblyman remarked that SUPP is profoundly dismayed and in stark disagreement with the directive issued by Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia and Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sarawak, instructing all schools to observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause amidst the Israel-Palestine conflict.

“In Sarawak we feel proud to say that we are indeed different. We align ourselves with the stance of the coalition consisting of 17 non-governmental organizations hailing from Sarawak and Sabah. We firmly assert that the federal government must refrain from entangling international politics and conflicts within the confines of our educational institutions. The schools here teach and incalcule good values to our students. The teachers constantly remind them of our multi racial and multi religious Sarawak, teach them love, care
We have indeed 34 ethic groups, living in Peace and Harmony, have total respect for each other and total acceptance for one and other. Race and Religion are never an issue in Sarawak and this is what the school should be, teaching and guiding our students to be positive and peace loving at all times, ” he said.

Ting added that it is definitely wrong to poison the innocent minds of our students of this international hatred and even killing.

Furthermore, he added numerous parents have voiced their objections to the directive from the Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. They vehemently oppose the exposure of their young children to elements of racism, hatred, violence, death, and war. We call upon the Federal Minister and Deputy Minister of Education to give serious consideration to this widespread rejection by the people and promptly instruct Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia to rescind their directive.

He said in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, there is no absolute right or wrong, and both sides have suffered immeasurable losses, with countless loved ones falling victim to the conflict. As part of the international community, we have a moral obligation to demand an immediate ceasefire from both Israelis and Palestinians. This cessation of hostilities is vital to facilitate the delivery of essential provisions such as food, water, and humanitarian aid to the thousands of displaced victims in the region.

SUPP would like to reiterate that the sooner the education autonomy be returned or given back to Sarawak the better. We shall give the best to our students.