KUCHING: Dragging under-age schoolchildren into international politics and conflicts is wrong and inappropriate, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim said there are many avenues and other ways to champion many tragic causes like the cause for the Palestinians, however, involving students in these conflicts is not proper.
“That’s why we fight for our education autonomy so that we don’t have to follow blindly that’s not consistent with Sarawak values.
“As far as I am concerned, children are children, schools are schools and it is certainly not part of the education system and it is not (about) political campaigns … I just wish to make that very clear,” Dr Sim told reporters after officiating at the Kampung Kenyalang Community Carnival at KPCA Hall today.
Dr Sim said Sarawak has its own values where its society lives in harmony, respecting one another’s differences and living in peace.
The Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister said it is very tragic for the Palestinians and the whole world needs to do something about it, but he reiterated that schools and students should not be involved in the conflict in any form.
The Education Ministry on Oct 21 and Oct 23 issued a notice requesting all education institutions under the ministry to implement and observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause from Oct 29 to Nov 3.
