YOURSAY 'One just wonders why religion, race and politics must be dragged into everything, especially into an educational institution.'

Korban in schools - ministers contradict each other

your say, YoursayRuben: What is Malaysia coming to? Not a week goes by without issues and tensions related to race or religion. First and foremost, the politicians and authorities seem to forget that Malaysia is a blessed country, fertile and rich in resources.

We live in a land free of natural disasters. We should be embracing these gifts plus the gifts of different races and religions that we have. We must embrace these differences as they are also our strengths.

Most countries get better with time but Malaysia is getting worse over time. Why? Because we are being governed by politicians who are totally corrupt and the only way they can save themselves from prosecution and from being wiped out from the political scene is to divide the rakyat along racial and religious lines.

The rakyat must act now and stop these cruel people before it gets too late.

Oriole: Since the last election, the government has systematically shown why it is ill-equipped to run the country and is instead led by racist right-wing groups that are itching to start a civil conflict.

The Education Ministry has turned into a disgraceful centre for racist propaganda and right-wing politicking.

This latest statement by Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan, who condoned the treatment of children at the Seri Pristana school, is just another example of the hell that this ministry has turned into.

So does Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin have anything to say? Is he going to throw his Indian deputy into the fire by contradicting him and agreeing with Second Education Minister Idris Jusoh?

Does he care that the ministry has lost all credibility or is he trying to prove his worth in this way to the most racist elements of this society?

Idris Jusoh and gang in the Education Ministry should educate themselves by reading Kua Kia Soong's article in Malaysiakini, 'Slaughtering cattle and educational values', to get some perspective on the issue. Stop taking the country into the dark ages.

Supercession: Kamalanathan, get ready to backtrack and kiss the Umno minister's hand.

Ratbatblue: Since when has prohibition of slaughtering of live animals in school compounds in the presence of pupils become an insult to Malays and Muslims? And insulting enough to require stern action? Against whom? For interfering in a religious matter?

Are these people insane or what? Must animals be killed in schools? Are there no other places? Did anyone ask these Perkasa leaders about the feelings of the non-Muslims, or what would happen if the situation was reversed?

The obvious inference here is that it's not a religious issue but one of subjugation and empowerment. It's an issue of racial supremacy and showing who's in charge, without a care for the sensitivities of fellow citizens.

Where are the moderate Malay majority on this issue? Why are they silent? Do their opinions not count? Why can't moderate Muslim clerics stand up and give their opinions? It looks like everyone is in awe of these so-called self-styled patriots.

Thequest: One just wonders why religion, race and politics must be dragged into everything, especially an educational institution. Now, how do we attract non-Malays to give up vernacular education for national schools?

Smallbigblob: The politicisation of all institutions have been going since the time of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and it has now reached schools and institutions of learning.

We are now reaching saturation point, and after that, the law shall be interpreted in the manner that Umno wants it to be.

Bolygal50: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is deaf and the education minister is mute. Is this the calibre of our cabinet ministers from Umno?

Fairnsquare: We are teaching our children in schools that it is good to be intolerant of other religions. This is what happens when we have politicians like Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali. Perhaps he doesn't mind his children growing up to be bullies rather than being considerate.

We grew up in a situation where when we had a Muslim brother attending lunch or dinner, we only served halal food. We would not eat pork if a Muslim friend was present. This was all due to respect and understanding.

Today we are told that since the Muslims are a majority, tolerance for others is not necessary. How can one expect to gain respect when respect is not given?

Heavenly King: No need to argue; religious slaughtering of cattle or other animals in schools for korban (ritual sacrifice) is allowed in all agama schools but not in other schools.

Anonymous_4056: Indeed, if you must slaughter sacrificial animals in school as a compulsory requirement in your religion, please do it in your Sekolah Agama or madrasah. Then, we will have no issue at all. A school is for learning, not for religious rituals.

Continue-The-March: This shows the low quality of the Umno Baru minister and his deputy. A simple administrative issue and they are making a mockery of the country as well as fools of themselves.

School is a place to learn and gain knowledge and not a slaughterhouse. Period. The deputy PM cum education minister as usual is acting dumb and deaf when confronted with such an issue.

AntiRacial: Let's light up long candles and burn fake notes in schools for next year's ghost festival as Idris Jusoh has said religious activities can be carried out in school.

SpongeBob: Idris Jusoh is another politician who has no gumption to say a definite yes or no. Maintaining political position has become more important than what is the right or wrong thing to do in schools.

I challenge all these ministers who are sending their children to international schools and boarding schools abroad, to transfer your children to schools where they slaughter cows.

Otherwise, you are hypocrites. Tell the PM to announce proudly about your policy of slaughtering of cows in schools at world Islamic conferences.

Gen2: The Health Ministry and the Veterinary Department are very silent. Surely there must be some law or regulation governing where cows can be slaughtered?

MockingYou: Too many cooks spoil the broth and too many talkers spoil the script. Education Ministry, make up your mind, will you?

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