Korban in schools - ministers contradict each other

Second Education Minister Idris Jusoh said the ministry will not prohibit the religious slaughtering of cattle or other animals in schools for korban (ritual sacrifice).

However, Idris (left) who is also the Besut MP, said any programme the school organises should take into consideration the sensitivity of the other races.

"We must respect others if such programme is to be implemented," he says in a Facebook posting.

Idris' statement contrasts with that of Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan, who last week said the religious sacrifice of cattle is not allowed.

"Actually that act is not permitted. We have already investigated the matter. The problem arose because the district education department was not informed," the deputy minister was quoted as saying.

"If they had informed the district education office, they would have been advised to carry it out at a nearby surau," Kamalanathan reportedly said.

Idris and Kamalanathan (right) were responding to the outcry by the non-Muslim community over the ritual sacrificing of animals, including cattle, at SK Puchong Jaya in Selangor earlier this month for Hari Raya Haji.

It was also reported that Kamalanathan's comment on the matter has been attacked by Malay right-wing group Perkasa, with its Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris describing the deputy minister's statement as an insult to Malays and Muslims.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali also criticised the deputy minister for interfering in a religious matter and asked Kamalanathan to take the issue up with the Conference of Rulers.