BN, Pakatan leaders united against speech at school
(The Star) – Politicians on both sides of the parliamentary divide have slammed a school principal in Kulaijaya, Johor for making racist remarks during a National Day celebration launch.
They said it was unbecoming of the principal to make such remarks and disciplinary action should be taken against her.
MCA deputy publicity bureau chief Loh Seng Kok suggested that the Education Ministry should incorporate the 1Malaysia concept into the training of teachers.
“Teachers in training should take in the hallmark values of 1Malaysia to mould and nurture a generation of teachers with good character.
“The principal who uttered that racist remark should be disciplined as she holds a leadership position in a school,” he said when contacted.
MIC secretary-general Datuk T. Rajagopalu said the party saw no reason why the principal should utter such racial remarks especially during Merdeka celebrations.
“We see no basis for the principal to make such allegedly insensitive statements during a significant event like the Merdeka celebrations.
“Furthermore, her audience comprising the younger generation are our future electorate. She could have done it on purpose to undermine the Prime Minister’s vision,” he told The Star.
Rajagopalu said the party would support MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s call that the principal who described her non-Malay students as penumpang (passengers) in the country to be given a desk job and receive counselling.
Gerakan education and knowledge bureau chairman Lau Chin Hoon demanded a public apology from the principal for making the remarks.
He said some form of “deterrent” penalty should also be imposed on her, and urged the authorities to take action to prevent the situation from worsening.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said the principal should be sacked for making such racist remarks.
The severest disciplinary action must be taken against the principal who is unfit to be in the education service of a multiracial society, he said in a statement.
