It is against Malaysian culture to force
Christian students to pray under a tree and observe Malay and Muslim
dress code, said Education Minister II Idris Jusoh.
He was responding to Sabah newspaper Daily Express report on Saturday that Christian students at a college in East Malaysia were forced to pray in the open.
"These claims are serious, but we need to remember that in our country, especially in schools, there is a budaya kasih sayang (caring culture).
"These incidents have happened, but they do not represent our country nor our culture," Idris was reported as saying by The Star.
The case will be handled by Deputy Education Minister Mary Yap (right), the Besut MP said.
The Daily Express reported that that Christian students were forced to pray openly under a tree.
Male students are made to wear a songkok (Malay hat) while females must don the tudung if they want to participate in the Student Parliament, students claim.
The minister also told the media to be fair and highlight issues that encourage racial harmony.
"Incidents
such as this one are isolated, but when you (media) keep highlighting
it, it is as though there is no unity in our country.
"In the papers, you won't read about how people of all races get along well.
"If we don't shift our focus back to what makes our country and its people great, we might forget to be thankful for what Malaysia has achieved," Idris said.
Malaysiakini has contacted the college administration and is awaiting for response from the college director.
The name of the college is being withheld pending its response.
He was responding to Sabah newspaper Daily Express report on Saturday that Christian students at a college in East Malaysia were forced to pray in the open.
"These claims are serious, but we need to remember that in our country, especially in schools, there is a budaya kasih sayang (caring culture)."These incidents have happened, but they do not represent our country nor our culture," Idris was reported as saying by The Star.
The case will be handled by Deputy Education Minister Mary Yap (right), the Besut MP said.
The Daily Express reported that that Christian students were forced to pray openly under a tree.
Male students are made to wear a songkok (Malay hat) while females must don the tudung if they want to participate in the Student Parliament, students claim.
The minister also told the media to be fair and highlight issues that encourage racial harmony.
"Incidents
such as this one are isolated, but when you (media) keep highlighting
it, it is as though there is no unity in our country."In the papers, you won't read about how people of all races get along well.
"If we don't shift our focus back to what makes our country and its people great, we might forget to be thankful for what Malaysia has achieved," Idris said.
Malaysiakini has contacted the college administration and is awaiting for response from the college director.
The name of the college is being withheld pending its response.
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