SUPP Youth Central Secretary-General Nicholas Toh Kah Shiong

suppadmin | October 29, 2023

SUPP Youth Central Secretary-General Nicholas Toh Kah Shiong urged the federal government to delegate the existing authority of the Ministry of Education (MoE) over Sarawak schools to the Sarawak government, in order to formulate education policies that truly reflect the sentiments of the people of Sarawak and are in line with the interests of the people of Sarawak.

He said the policies formulated by the unity government in Putrajaya, especially the leaders from the West Malaysia-based political parties, only focus on West Malaysia. They are obviously out of touch with the people of Sarawak and inconsistent with the customs and wishes of the people of Sarawak. “Take the “Palestine Solidarity Week” instructed by the MoE to be implemented in schools across the nation as an example. Did the Minister from PKR and the Deputy Minister from DAP consult the stances and opinions of East Malaysian leaders in advance?”

Emphasizing that all ethnic groups in Sarawak are inherently peace-loving, advocating friendship, and upholding the spirit of moderation and mutual respect, Toh said that the vast majority of Sarawak parents do not want their children to be involved in international political and religious conflicts.

“Unfortunately, the leaders in West Malaysia are unable to understand this, and instead advocate indoctrinating students with specific political ideas,” he said. A recent incident saw a group of teachers and students in West Malaysia dress up as Palestinian warriors in the classroom and hold toy guns. “Perhaps parents in West Malaysia think this is in line with their values by making mock battles, but this is definitely not the case in Sarawak,” stressed Toh.

Toh said “As Sarawakians, what we want is very simple, which is to return schools to pure education, without political thinking and stance, let alone religious or extreme emotions.” Therefore, it is necessary for the existing federal government to listen to the voices of Sarawakians and hand over greater educational autonomy to Sarawak government.