No problem if anti-Pakatan comics are 'positive'
Aidila RazakPublished: Apr 13, 2012 10:03 AM | Updated: Apr 13, 2012 10:15 AM
Deputy Education Minister Puad Zarkashi said today the ministry did not issue any directive for the anti-Pakatan Rakyat comic books to be distributed to schoolteachers at a state education department event.
Deputy Education Minister Puad Zarkashi said today the ministry did not issue any directive for the anti-Pakatan Rakyat comic books to be distributed to schoolteachers at a state education department event.
“Which state education department distributed it? I have never seen it. There is no ministry directive,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Puad (right) added that although they did not come from the government, the comic books should not be a problem if they are about the national transformation programme.
“Personally, I feel that this should not be made an issue if they are positive comic books. Teachers are civil servants and should know the policies of the ruling government and its achievements,” he said.
But when told that the comic books included drawings of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim putting his arms around two topless men, Puad said: “All I can say is there is no ministry directive and I did not receive any complaints, nor have I seen the comic book.”
He also urged The Malaysian Insider, which reported the matter earlier today, to come forward with more information so the ministry can further investigate it.
“We also want to know if this is happening throughout the country or only involving teachers in one or two schools,” he said.
The news portal quoted a senior teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the 50-page book was given to teachers who attended a Wacana Transformasi Minda recently.
The book also features Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak dressed as Superman, flying over a group of adoring citizens.
Malaysiakini’s checks with several teachers from national schools in the Klang Valley found that the books were not distributed to them.
“Which state education department distributed it? I have never seen it. There is no ministry directive,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
Puad (right) added that although they did not come from the government, the comic books should not be a problem if they are about the national transformation programme.“Personally, I feel that this should not be made an issue if they are positive comic books. Teachers are civil servants and should know the policies of the ruling government and its achievements,” he said.
But when told that the comic books included drawings of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim putting his arms around two topless men, Puad said: “All I can say is there is no ministry directive and I did not receive any complaints, nor have I seen the comic book.”
He also urged The Malaysian Insider, which reported the matter earlier today, to come forward with more information so the ministry can further investigate it.
“We also want to know if this is happening throughout the country or only involving teachers in one or two schools,” he said.
The news portal quoted a senior teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the 50-page book was given to teachers who attended a Wacana Transformasi Minda recently.
The book also features Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak dressed as Superman, flying over a group of adoring citizens.
Malaysiakini’s checks with several teachers from national schools in the Klang Valley found that the books were not distributed to them.
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