Hasty of Johor Gerakan Youth to cut ties, says state PAS Youth

Its chief Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz, however, says Johor PAS Youth will not apologise for its stance on the issue of school donations from alcohol proceeds.

(FMT) – It was hasty of Johor Gerakan Youth to cut ties over the issue of donations to Chinese schools, says Johor PAS Youth chief Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz.

He told FMT that there was still room for discussion with Johor Gerakan Youth over the matter.

“In any case, if they believe doing so will benefit them, they’ll likely see the consequences down the road. (PAS) won’t have any problems.

“However, we do feel that statement was hasty,” he said, commenting on a statement by Johor Gerakan Youth chief Teo Wei Jin about cutting ties with the state’s PAS Youth.

Oriental Daily today reported Teo as saying Johor Gerakan Youth would only mend ties with PAS Youth if the latter apologises to the Chinese community and withdraws its attacks regarding donations to schools from alcohol proceeds.

Nawfal said Johor PAS Youth would not apologise as the education ministry had clearly stated in its circular that such donations were not allowed.

“There is no need to apologise. The general public knows this is in the circular issued by the education ministry.

“Why apologise? We are following the law,” Nawfal, who is also Johor Perikatan Nasional Youth chief, said.

On Sunday, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Gerakan’s official stance on the issue of donations to schools from alcohol proceeds was “very disappointing”.

He said PAS might not be able to work with Gerakan in the next general election if the latter maintained its position on alcohol companies and Chinese schools.

The day before that, Gerakan president Dominic Lau said the education ministry should not restrict fundraising activities by certain companies in schools if the government would not allocate sufficient funds to all types of schools.

He was commenting on the Cabinet’s decision to maintain the existing guidelines on programmes and donations for schools, which among others state that fundraising activities for schools cannot display or promote alcohol in school premises.

Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong later responded to Fadhli, saying his party would not hesitate to quit PN if its coalition allies continue to display religious extremism and infringe on the rights of non-Muslims.

PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah then said PAS would not stand in Gerakan’s way if it decides to leave the coalition.