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IT LOOKS LIKE THIS SCANDAL WILL NOT DIE A QUIET DEATH!
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https://www.facebook.com/mohdnorskseripristana
Kami Sokong Mohamad Nasir Mohd Nor Ditahan dan Didakwa 立刻逮捕和提控莫哈末纳西尔
https://www.facebook.com/mohdnorskseripristana
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Malaysian Insider
Side Views
Seri Pristana: did Kamalanathan lie? – Ravinder Singh
By insisting that the canteen was under renovation (now said to be since May, earlier said to be since March), the HM of Seri Pristana is in effect saying that Deputy Education Minister Kamalanathan lied when he said there were no renovations to the canteen, and the only repairs were the replacement of the wooden door to the teachers’ room in a corner of the canteen with a glass door. He had said this after visiting the school and seeing the canteen with his own eyes.
Why all this beating around the bush? Now that the HM has cast aspersions on the honesty of Kamalanathan, the latter should either confirm or deny the story about the renovations.
If he stays silent, then he is agreeing with the HM’s version about the renovations, and his own untruthful statement about there being no renovations to the canteen.
As the issue hinges on the truth or otherwise of the “renovations” story, the matter can be resolved and put to rest very easily by producing photographs of the canteen under renovation.
Details of the renovation works should also be made public…
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Who was the contractor and what was the contract sum? What are the dates on which the work actually commenced and ended?
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When the matter can be settled so easily by showing proof of the claim that the canteen was under renovation, why is it not being done?
Since Kamalanathan’s credibility has been questioned, it behoves that he act to put the matter to rest.
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Please come clean with details and photographs of the renovations. – September 22, 2013.
* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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Educated doesn’t necessarily mean wise.
Education Minister II blames outsiders.
“The incident was then magnified to the point of becoming a racial issue,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Online.
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He believes that all is forgiven, but how is that possible when the never apologized, and insisted that he did not apologize?
“Today, the issue is solved and we have forgiven one another where a mistake was made. After this, we will continue with business as usual for the sake of unity,” Idris said during a press conference after a surprise visit to the school on Tuesday. – September 19, 2013.
Malaysian Insider
Seri Pristana headmaster upset over racist label
“I am not a racist.” That is the plea from SK Seri Pristana headmaster Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor whose image has suffered since ordering non-Muslim pupils to have their meals in the school’s shower room during the fasting month in July.
Nasir said he enjoyed good relations with other races and found it mystifying that he has been labelled racist by various quarters.
“Prior to this, I have worked with many parties including non-Malays.
“I also served in a mission school where the school’s administrative body was helmed by non-Malays and, at that time, we used to organise programmes with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) made up mostly of Chinese and Indians,” he told Sinar Harian today.
Nasir said the issue of him being racist never arose and as a teacher, what was important to him is to care for the needs of the students.
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Malaysian Insider
Side Views
Seri Pristana – lies upon lies – Ravinder Singh
But two lies don’t make a truth!
Whom is Education Minister II, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh trying to fool by his declaration that the controversy surrounding the SK Seri Pristana toilet-canteen issue was due to outside interference?
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The Ministry’s strong, continuous defense of the school’s action could lead the pubic to believe that the school’s action had been tacitly pre-approved by the Ministry. If this is not so, then it behoves the Ministry to tell the headmaster in no uncertain terms that he owes the parents and the public an apology for the disgraceful thing that was done during the holy month of Ramadan. It was not only an act insensitive to all, including the God-fearing Muslims, but also an irreligious act.
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Why is it so choking for the headmaster of SK Seri Pristana to say “sorry” if what he did was not pre-planned, and perhaps tacitly approved, by his superiors? Or is it the “Ketuanan Melayu” factor that is making it impossible for the headmaster to say “sorry”?
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The antics of the authorities in trying to show that the school was right in what it did are a disgrace. If anything, these antics go to show that the Ministry of Education supports religious and racial bigotry in schools. So much for 1Malaysia through our schools.
September 18, 2013.
* Ravinder Singh from Batu Maung, Penang reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/sideviews/article/seri-pristana-lies-upon-lies-ravinder-singh
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Malaysiakini
DAP national vice-chairperson M Kualsegaran described Education Minister II Idris Jusoh’s act of blaming outsiders for the public furore over the SK Seri Pristana “canteen in shower room” issue as a “convenient dodge by the very people who could have the prevented the controversy.”
“By now the public were expecting the government to bring closure to the issue by accepting that a mistake had been made and that amends needed to be made,” commented the MP for Ipoh Barat.
“Instead of closure, Idris has chosen to rub more salt into wounds the issue created by blaming outsiders for stirring up matters when actually there would not have been any controversy had the school not given unreasonable cause for it,” added Kulasegaran.
Kula calls Idris an ‘artless dodger’
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Malaysiakini
Rekindling the dying flame over the SK Seri Pristana shower room canteen controversy, Education Minister II Idris Jusoh today pinned the blame on outsiders.
Following a surprise visit to the school, he claimed that the parents had no qualms with the matter and understood the real scenario.
However, he added that outsiders with vested interests had acted as “batu api” (instigators) and blew the issue out of proportion.
“Actually the parents of the pupils involved understood (the situation) and have no problems with the matter. The problem is outsiders who failed to understand what happened.
Shower canteen: Idris blames ‘batu api’ outsiders
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Malaysiakini
A SK Seri Pristana staff has claimed that an audio recording of the meeting between the headmaster and parents reveals that no apology was tendered
“All the papers got it wrong,” said the staff, who wished to remain anonymous. “The recording can prove that the headmaster did not apologise.”
‘Audio recording proves HM didn’t apologise’
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The Big Shot Headmaster is likely to get away with not even a rap on his knuckles but it looks like the small fry (teachers, of course) may get into serious trouble!
Seri Pristana teachers to be probed for bullying, says minister
Several teachers who had allegedly harassed pupils of SK Seri Pristana after the eating in the shower room incident went public will be called up by the education ministry, said Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (pic).
The statement by the minister came about after headmaster Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor had reportedly apologised to parents yesterday in a Parent-Teacher Association meeting over his decision to order non-Muslim pupils to spend their recess in the shower room during the fasting month.
“There are mistakes made by teachers. Then, there are allegations that teachers beat their students,” Idris said, adding, “We will make sure action is taken against those involved.
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Headmaster: I didn’t apologise!
NST
Tuesday September 10, 2013 MYT 1:48:26 PM
SK Seri Pristina headmaster: I never apologised
SK Seri Pristina.
PETALING JAYA: The headmaster of controversial school SK Seri Pristana has denied apologising to parents over the use of a changing room as a temporary canteen in the school.
“I never apologised to parents as I consider the matter is already resolved,” said Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor when commenting on reports that he had apologised to a group of parents during a meeting on Monday.
I never apologised to parents as I consider the matter is already resolved,” said Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor when commenting on reports that he had apologised to a group of parents during a meeting on Monday.
An online report had stated Mohd Nasir , who had directed non-Muslim pupils of the school to eat in a shower room during Ramadan, apologised during the Monday meeting yesterday morning with the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, state education department officials and the parents of the pupils affected.
SK Seri Pristina headmaster: I never apologised
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Malaysiakini
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“The SK Seri Pristana issue was finally resolved yesterday with the headmaster’s apology,” Malaysian Tamilan Today secretary K Gunasekaran said.
“We thank all quarters involved, including the Selangor Education Department director, elected representatives, NGOs, parents and the media.”
However, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association secretary-general S Barathidasan said an apology was not sufficient.
“The headmaster should be suspended or transferred to serve as a lesson to others. Otherwise, there will be no end to such incidents,” he told Malaysiakini.
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Agreeing with this, Malaysian Hindu Movement leader S Sanjay also called for stern action to be taken against the SK Seri Pristana headmaster.
“After this incident, the HM should not be allowed to continue in that school. He might be spiteful towards the pupils… He should be transferred, it is better to lose him than to lose the pupils,” Sanjay said.
“By right, he should have been sacked. Even if it involves a transfer, he should be sent to a school in the remote interiors of Malaysia, where he can reflect on his actions.”
Seri Pristana HM apologises, but NGOs insist on action
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Malaysiakini
Seri Pristana headmaster apologises to parents
After two months of one controversy after another, the SK Seri Pristana headmaster has finally apologised to parents over numerous complaints lodged against the school in relation to the eating in the shower room incident.
Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor, who had directed non-Muslim pupils of the school to eat in a shower room during Ramadan, apologised during a meeting yesterday morning with the school’s Parent-Teacher Association, state education department officials and the parents of the pupils who were intimidated and bullied following the incident.
Seri Pristana headmaster apologises to parents
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“The IGP must retract his statement as he has put fear in every parent and has given the licence to his men to harass children.”
Malaysian Insider
IGP slammed for “ridiculous and arrogant” statement on questioning of children
The statement by the Inspector-General of Police that police do not need the consent of parents before questioning their children was described as “ridiculous and arrogant” by lawyers and child activists.
Human rights lawyer N. Surendran said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s response to the outcry after police had questioned pupils of SK Seri Pristana would also create panic among parents.
“Parents will now fear that their children can be hauled up any time by the police,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
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Surendran pointed out that under the Criminal Procedure Code every individual who is questioned by police has right to legal representation.
“For a child, all legal decisions are made by the parents or guardian. That is why if the police need to question a child, the parents must be present.
“A child would not understand the legal implications or sometimes the question itself.”
Another lawyer, Fahri Azzat, said the law aside, police should not behave in such an inappropriate manner.
“If you interview a minor, they should ask the parents or at least notify them and allow them to be present. That is common sense,” he said.
Fahri said for Khalid to say that parents need not be notified was “not quite right”.
IGP slammed for “ridiculous and arrogant” statement on questioning of children
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Malaysian Insider
There is no need to obtain the consent of parents or to ensure their presence when questioning their children, said the Inspector-General of Police in reference to the incident at SK Seri Pristana where police had quizzed several primary school pupils over the eating in the shower room controversy.
“Why can’t we? There’s nothing in the law that says we need to get their (parents) consent,” said IGP Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
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The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) also noted that there was nothing wrong with police questioning the pupils as “police just wanted to know the truth”.
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The MCA Youth chief expressed his disappointment with the Selangor Education Department and the Education Ministry for deciding not to act against the headmaster as he “did not commit a crime” when he ordered his pupils to have their meals in the school’s shower room.
Malaysian Insider
13 down, 12 to go in Seri Pristana; Wee wants harassment to stop
The harassment of non-Muslim pupils at SK Seri Pristana must stop as there are just 12 of them left from the original 25, said a former deputy education minister.
Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said due to the constant harassment of the pupils and arrest of a parent by the police, three pupils have already been transferred out by their parents with 10 more planning to follow suit.
“Out of the original 25 non-Muslim pupils in the school, there are now only 12 of them left,” Wee said.
“This harassment must stop and action must be taken in order to prevent this ‘exodus’, otherwise it will be misconstrued as ‘ethnic cleansing’ by the school authorities.
“Our education system is not only meant to academically groom our young, but to instil a sense of being Malaysian,” Wee said in a statement today.
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WHY CAN’T EVEN THE POLICE BE TRUSTED TO BE TRUTHFUL?
Yesterday, there was outright denial. NO WE DIDN’T TALK TO THEM AT ALL.
Today, it is not better, just an evasive answer.
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Yesterday, the police denied questioning the children. Sungai Buloh district police chief Junaidi Bujang had said that “no instructions” were given to question the children.
“There is no such thing. There was never any instruction on my part. I did not ask any officer to do so. In any case, what would the children know?” he had told Malaysiakini when asked if police had questioned the children.
Today, Sungai Buloh district police chief Junaidi Bujang says that they were just having a chat with the children. “We cannot just listen to the teachers. Even the parents got the information from their children. But we did not interrogate the children. We were just talking,” he said.
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For the full story, read
Malaysian Insider
Cops admit “interviewing” Seri Pristana pupils, but deny it was interrogation
Police have changed their story and have now admitted that they “questioned” several pupils of SK Seri Pristana following the eating in the shower-room incident.
Sungai Buloh district police chief Superintendent Junaidi Bujang said the children “were questioned on an interview basis”.
“They were not interrogated,” he said, denying reports that police officers had interrupted lessons or harassed and intimidated the pupils.
“We were given permission by the headmaster before entering the school. They gave us 30 minutes to interview the pupils.”
The interview session with about six pupils was held in a classroom which was allocated by the headmaster.
“The children are innocent in this issue. Why would we want to intimidate or harass them?” Junaidi asked.
In earlier reports, Junaidi had denied that police had questioned the pupils.
When asked about his earlier denials, Junaidi said, “the reports painted a picture that police had harassed or intimidated the children. That was what I denied”.
Cops admit “interviewing” Seri Pristana pupils, but deny it was interrogation
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Malaysiakini
The police now have admitted to questioning the pupils of SK Seri Pristana, but said they were not taking official statements from them nor were the children harassed.
Sungai Buloh district police chief Junaidi Bujang said they were “just talking to the students” to ask them more about the shower room used as a makeshift canteen.
“There were six children in the photograph (uploaded by a parent), so we wanted to find out who the children were, whether the photograph was taken during Ramadan, when they started eating there etc.
OCPD: Yes, we quizzed kids but didn’t harass them
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He doesn’t believe that 3 children have left and 10 more wish to leave. He claims ignorance over these developments!
Malaysian Insider
SK Seri Pristana PTA chairman demands answers from school over latest controversy
The SK Seri Pristana Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) wants answers from the school on the allegations of intimidation against several pupils which saw three non-Muslim children being transferred out by their parents.
Claiming that they are in the dark over these transfers, PTA chairman Hussein Mohd Ariff told The Malaysian Insider that they will be meeting the school authorities tomorrow for a meeting.
t was reported yesterday that at least three non-Muslim pupils have left the Sungai Buloh school and 10 others are set to follow suit.
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The three who left earlier claimed they were intimidated and bullied by school authorities after the issue of non-Muslim pupils being ordered to have their recess in the school’s shower-room surfaced.
It was also revealed that parents of 10 other non-Muslim pupils will be transferring their children out following the arrest of a parent for allegedly threatening the headmaster after he alleged that his daughter was photographed twice by a stranger in the school grounds.
Hussein expressed disbelief over these latest developments.
“This is all new to me. I expect the school will be informing me and my fellow committee members about these incidents on Thursday,” he said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider.
SK Seri Pristana PTA chairman demands answers from school over latest controversy
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Only yesterday, MCA insisted that it is not UMNO’s lap dog.
Today, MCA is reported as telling school authorities to stop “bullying” non-Muslim students at SK Seri Pristana.
Good!
Free Malaysia Today
‘Stop scaring the kids, parents’
MCA calls for the authorities to ensure an environment free from harassment and discrimination in all schools.
The MCA deputy national organising secretary had also voiced her disappointment as more and more parents are requesting for their children to be transferred to another school due to the bullying, which also involved the teachers, that is allegedly ongoing at SK Seri Pristana, in Sungai Buloh.
“What signal are the headmaster, teachers and PIBG of SK Seri Pristana sending to the would-be pupils and public (with the alleged bullying) following the press conference by the parents of the affected pupils.
“It appears that innocent children have been driven out of the school because they are facing harassment from the same people whom their parents entrusted them with,” she said in a statement today.
“Please protect, nurture and provide the pupils of all schools with an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Only then, it is a safe and condusive for learning,” she said.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/28/stop-scaring-the-kids-parents/
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Malaysiakini
MCA has called on school authorities to stop “bullying” non-Muslim students at SK Seri Pristana, including by allowing police to question them in school without parental consent.
If such claims by the parents are true, MCA publicity chairperson Heng Seai Kie said, then Bukit Aman must step in an investigate the police officers involved.
In a statement, she also urged the Education Ministry to urgently look into the situation at the primary school to stop it from further exacerbating.
“If allegations of pupils questioned by the police officers are indeed true, and I personally believe they are, I urge the superiors of the Sungai Buloh police station, right up to Bukit Aman to probe into the method of investigation of the alleged police officers.
“There are laws which protect the rights of minors. In fact, the headmaster or the senior assistant should have contacted the parents upon being informed or discovering that the police were going to speak to the children,” she said in a statement.
She added that parents are also justified with regard to their concern over the alleged photographing of their children by an unidentified man, who was accompanied by the headmaster.
She also urged police to investigate the police report by Guneswari Kelly that she had received death and kidnap threats against herself and her daughter, who used to attend the school before the shower canteen incident came to light.
Stop bullying SK Seri Pristana pupils, says MCA
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There were 25 non-Muslim pupils among the 1,400 enrolled at the school. Now there are 22 left, and when ten more leave, there will be 12 non-Muslim pupils left!
LATEST!
Malaysian Insider
Harassed out of school – more non-Muslim students leaving Seri Pristana
At least three non-Muslim pupils have left SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh and 10 others are to follow – the result of alleged intimidation following the shower room incident.
The three who left earlier claimed they were intimidated and bullied by school authorities after the issue of non-Muslim pupils being ordered to have their recess in the school’s shower room surfaced.
At a Press conference today, it was revealed that the parents of 10 other non-Muslim pupils will be transfering their children out of the school following the arrest of a parent for allegedly intimidating the headmaster.
Harassed out of school – more non-Muslim students leaving Seri Pristana
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Ten parents want to transfer their children out. That is wise considering what has happened!
“LET OUR CHILDREN GO!”
Malaysiakini
Ten parents have decided to transfer their children from the controversial SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh after the arrest of a parent, V Kumancan, 32, yesterday.
Subang MP R Sivarasa said the 10 parents made the decision as they were afraid of being harassed by the police as well.
“The 10 parents lodged police report over the case of pupils eating at a shower room during Ramadan last month,” he said, adding that three students had subsequently been transferred to other schools.
Kumancan (left in photo) was arrested after the school headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor, alleged that Kumancan had threatened him.
He was then released on police bail at about 4.45pm yesterday and was expected to be charged with criminal intimidation on Sept 9.
He had also told the media that the police came looking for him last Friday at about midnight.
10 parents of SK Seri Pristana to transfer their kids out
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Yesterday, parent V Kumaresan, 32, was singled out by headmaster Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor in an identification parade as having issued a death threat against the headmaster.
He was arrested and released on bail, and is expected to be charged with criminal intimidation on Sept 9.
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At a joint press conference with other parents, non-governmental organisations and Subang MP R Sivarasa today, a father says that his daughter was questioned TWICE..
Malaysiakini
A parent whose child goes to SK Seri Pristana has refuted Sungai Buloh OCPD Junaidi Bujang’s denial that police did not interrogate pupils while at school over the makeshift shower room canteen case.
The marketing executive, who only wished to be known as Raj, 39, claimed his 9-year-old daughter was questioned by police officers twice within the school compound, between July and August.
“She (his daughter) was so scared after being questioned by the police and she cried, not wanting to go to school anymore.
“The OCPD is telling a big lie,” the father alleged, adding that 10 parents also complained that their children were “harassed” by police.
“How can they (police) talk to our children without our presence?” he questioned.
Parent: OCPD’s denial of student questioning a lie
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Malaysiakini
Police have denied questioning the pupils of SK Seri Pristana as alleged by some parents to MIC.
“There is no such thing. There was never any instruction on my part. I did not ask any officer to do so. In any case, what would the children know?” said Sungai Buloh district police chief Junaidi Bujang.
He was commenting on a statement made by MIC director of strategy S Vell Paari who said that parents had complained to him that their children were questioned by police without parental consent.
Police deny interviewing Seri Pristana pupils
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Malaysiakini
Charge cops who quizzed SK Seri Pristana pupils’
MIC director of strategy S Vell Paari has taken the police to task for allegedly questioning the pupils of SK Seri Pristana without the approval or supervision of their parents.
In a statement today, Vell Paari (left) said that several parents had informed him about this.
The MIC leader also lambasted the police for detaining a parent, who was alleged to have threatened the headmaster of the primary school.
“On whose authority did the police enter the school premises to record statements from the pupils? How could they talk to the students without the consent of their parents?
“For subjecting these children to the stress of being questioned without the presence of their parents, these police officers should be charged with criminal intimidation,” he said.
Vell Paari said he had informed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Paul Low about the matter and called on him to raise it with the cabinet.
“While we mourn about children perishing in wars abroad, our children here are being victimised by the very people tasked with protecting and educating them.
“If I was to use one word to describe this episode, it would be ‘shameful’,” he added.
On the parent’s arrest, Vell Paari questioned the need for the police to go to his house at midnight, as if he was a dangerous criminal.
The MIC leader said while the police had every right to investigate a report filed by the headmaster against the parent, he questioned the status of the police investigation with regard to the reports filed by the parents against the headmaster.
“Was there an investigation?” he asked.
‘Charge cops who quizzed SK Seri Pristana pupils’
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Malaysia Chronicle
Monday, 26 August 2013 22:22
M’SIA GONE TO THE DOGS! Toilet-canteen’ school, with the help of police, go after parent!
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Reports were lodged against the headmaster over the shower room case by other individuals.
“But we cannot arrest the headmaster for making students eat in an inappropriate place. It may be morally wrong, but it is not illegal,” Sungai Buloh police district chief Junaidi Bujang said.
Malaysiakini
A parent whose child attends SK Seri Pristana was arrested this afternoon for allegedly issuing a “death threat” against the school headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Nor (below).
Confirming the matter, Sungai Buloh police district chief Junaidi Bujang said the headmaster identified the parent in an identification parade at the police station this afternoon.
“He has been released on bail, and we are currently awaiting instructions from the deputy public prosecutor on the case,” he said when contacted.
…
“In the police report, the headmaster claimed (the parent) came to the school and said, ‘you may be safe in school but it may not be the case outside of school’,” Junaidi said.
The parent also allegedly called the school several times over the course of a few days and uttered “harsh words” to the staff, after claiming that the headmaster had taken pictures of his child.
Parent arrested over Pristana HM ‘death threat’
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Free Malaysia Today
Punish Seri Pristana HM or else…
Two Indian NGOs threaten to lead a protest over the shower room canteen affair.
PUTRAJAYA: There will be a public protest outside the Education Ministry on Sept 5 unless the government punishes the headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaaan Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh.
Two Indian-based NGOs gave this ultimatum to the ministry today in a memorandum submitted to the ministry’s Corporate Communications Department.
The NGOs—Malaysian Tamilan Today and Malaysian Indian Education Transformation Association—were complaining about the apparent lack of political will to take action against school head Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor, who is at the centre of a controversy sparked last month by a Facebook posting about non-Muslim students having to use the school’s shower room as a canteen.
“Many complaints have been lodged against the headmaster, but no action has been taken against him,” Malaysian Tamilan Today spokesman K Gunasekaran told reporters after submitting the memorandum.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/20/punish-seri-pristana-hm-or-else-ministry-told/
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#MAKANMALAMTANDAS is a video produced by DanKhooProductions and uploaded on Youtube. It is parody video mocking non-Muslim students having meals in their school shower room.
#MAKANMALAMTANDAS video goes private
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Free Malaysia Today
Student ostracised after mother’s exposé
The Year 3 girl is coming home in tears, refusing to return to SK Seri Pristana following her mother’s exposure of the makeshift canteen in the school’s changing room.
PETALING JAYA: The nine-year-old daughter of whistleblower Guneswari Kelly who first highlighted the makeshift canteen-in-a-changing room at SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh is facing tremendous pressure in her school, forcing her parents to even consider transferring her to another school.
“This poor child is being victimised for what her mother exposed. She is being isolated by the teachers and even her classmates,” said a parent who is close to Guneswari.
The parent added that the ‘attacks’ on the Year 3 student started the very next day after the issue hit the national spotlight following wide media coverage.
“Her teacher blamed her in front of her classmates that it was her fault for the school to be in the limelight. The girl was very distraught and embarrassed by this finger-pointing.
“And then when the education authorities conducted an inquiry on the makeshift canteen, this girl was told that she was not required to take part in the fact-finding session.
“But it only got worse as even her friends started staying away from her. No one is speaking to this girl and she is very heartbroken by the whole incident,” said the parent.
…
Another parent, meanwhile, lashed out at the school headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor for refusing to meet them to discuss the way forward from this issue.
“We are still waiting for him to meet us and to move on. This issue can’t continue to linger. The school must stop blaming the non-Muslim students and turn this into a race issue,” said a father of a student in the school.
He added that there were also other incidents of teachers mocking non-Muslim students, intimidating them and ridiculing them for the makeshift canteen exposé.
Student ostracised after mother’s exposé
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Free Malaysia Today
Banners in support of HM condemned
Why punish the whistleblower and intimidate the students of SK Seri Pristana? asks MCA.
PETALING JAYA: An MCA leader today condemned public support for SK Seri Pristana headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mohd Nor, saying it was irresponsible and highly unethical because it targets the students.
MCA National Organising Secretary Tan Chin Meng was responding to reports of banners hung outside the gates of SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh in support of Mohd Nasir.
“These irresponsible actions appear to daunt and constrain the non-Malay students. This is highly unethical mainly because the people targeted are children,” Tan said in a press statement.
He condemned the allegations that the headmaster and an unidentified man have been taking photographs of the non-Muslim students.
“This can be construed as a measure of intimidation and debilitation. If these actions are true, this behaviour is vile and stern action must be taken at once,” he said.
“It is one matter for average people to take these methods, but, the headmaster has joined in as well, further tainting his already sullied name,” he added.
Tan also slammed Selangor Umno chairman Noh Omar for calling for the parent who first exposed the makeshift canteen in changing room issue to be investigated and charged under the Sedition Act.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/08/01/banners-in-support-of-hm-condemned/
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Malaysiakini
MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has lambasted Selangor Umno liasion committee chairperson Noh Omar for urging the authorities to investigate the shower canteen whistleblower under the Sedition Act.
“He must be crazy… This is what we call an abuse of the Sedition Act,” he told Malaysiakini.
Chua said it was the principal of SMK Alam Megah who should be charged with sedition for telling students to return to their ancestral lands.
As for the incident in SK Seri Pristana, the MCA president said parents were just concerned that their children were not being treated in a fair manner.
These parents, he pointed out, should have been engaged in a proper forum to find an amicable solution.
“The Sri Pristana headmaster as well as the parents-teacher association (PTA) should have engaged the parents. It is regrettable that a senior Umno leader like Noh Omar could make such a comment,” he said.MCA boss: Noh Omar must be crazy
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Free Malaysia Today
Various groups support school headmaster
Several groups, including an Umno branch, threw their support behind the SK Seri Pristana school headmaster.
SUNGAI BULOH: Four out of five banners put up on the fence at the front portion of the school show support for the SK Seri Pristana headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mod Nor.
The most prominent banner is by the Taman Seri Pristana Umno branch. It has a photo of the teachers breaking fast in the same shower room used by the students.
On the banner is written:“Kami bersama SKSP” (we are with SKSP). The banner also says “ Cikgu Nasir… u r the bezzz!!!!”.
Another banner was from a Facebook support group.
It reads “Seluruh warga pendidik SK Seri Pristana…kami sentiasa bersama anda…teruskan mendidik anak bangsa” (To all the teachers of SK Seri Pristana… we are always with you… continue to educate our children).
Two other banners were from the Seri Pristana Youth’s Association and an online advertising firm respectively.
The banner by Sri Pristana Youth’s Association reads “Awas… Fitnah!!!… Tak Bertamadun… SK Seri Pristana = Mangsa” (Beware…Slander!!!. It’s uncivilised… SK Seri Pristana is the victim)
The banner by the advertising firm Letak.my stated “We fully support En. Mohd Nasir Mohd Nor, SKSP teachers and their staff. Gratitude teaches us to appreciate the rainbow and the storm”.
Nevertheless, there was one banner that warned the school administration on their actions, claiming that the school is being watched.
The banner read, “Berhati-hati dengan tindakan anda…anda diperhatikan”
The banner put up by the Seri Pristana Neighbourhood Watch showed a photo of the students eating in the shower room with a CCTV camera labeled ‘police’ pointing towards the students.
When asked by FMT, the security guard said he was not sure when the banners were put up.
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HM’s surprise ‘photo’ move
Last updated on 31 July 2013 – 01:05am
Malaysian Tamilan Today secretary K. Gunasekaran (right) with some of the parents of students who have lodged police reports against the headmaster to date. SUNPIX by ADIB RAWI YAHYASUNGAI BULOH (July 30, 2013): The headmaster of SK Seri Pristana, who came under fire for turning a shower room into a makeshift canteen last week, took photographs of some students at the school on Monday although he was supposedly on leave.
Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor went on a week’s leave beginning last Thursday after receiving death threats for making students eat in a shower room during recess.
Parents today voiced concerns after hearing that he showed up on Monday with a photographer and took photos of students during class and recess.
One of them, V. Kumancan, lodged a report at the Sungai Buloh police station today as he feared for his daughter’s safety after photos of her were taken.
In his report, Kumancan said the headmaster and an unidentified photographer went into his daughter’s classroom at 5.40pm on Monday during moral studies class and took photos of her. Later, they took more photos of students at the canteen.
“We do not want our daughter to be targeted or subject to any bullying,” he told reporters.
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According to media reports, mechanic Kumancan Veeriah, also a parent of a pupil there, said Nasir had gone to the school, while he was on leave last week, and had taken photographs of some non-Muslim students whom he suspected had leaked the news that they were told to have their meals in the school changing room, which is near the toilets.
Malaysian Insider
DAP now wants action against Seri Pristana HM for allegedly intimidating students
DAP MP M Kula Segaran today called for disciplinary action to be taken against SK Seri Pristana headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor (pic) for allegedly intimidating pupils in the Selangor primary school.
The Ipoh Barat MP referred to media reports that said the headmaster had taken photographs of pupils whose parents had allegedly lodged complaints against him, saying this was unacceptable and warrants immediate action.
“Imagine the kind of psychological fear that the pupils have endured and will continue to suffer,” he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.
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Malaysian Insider
Parent, teacher bodies say “no” to charging “canteen in shower room” whistleblower with sedition
Charge the person who uploaded photographs of pupils of SK Seri Pristana eating in the school’s shower room with sedition?
No way, said teacher and parent bodies, which wanted the authorities to end the sideshow surrounding the incident and instead focus on improving education and answering more pertinent questions raised by the episode.
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National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP) president Hashim Adnan said the headmaster had apologised and the deputy education minister had visited the school and said the matter was “settled”, and that it was “not linked to race or religion”.
“Now you want to charge the person responsible for uploading the photograph with sedition?” he asked….
“We should not make a mockery of this. Let the matter rest.”
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Parents Action Group for Education Malaysia chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the matter has been blown out of proportion.
“This has nothing to do with race. If you see the comments on Facebook, even Muslims were on her (the parent identified as Guneswari) side. This was just a poor decision made by the school. There is no issue here,” she said.
Parent, teacher bodies say “no” to charging “canteen in shower room” whistleblower with sedition
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https://www.facebook.com/mohdnorskseripristana
Kami Sokong Mohamad Nasir Mohd Nor Ditahan dan Didakwa 立刻逮捕和提控莫哈末纳西尔
https://www.facebook.com/mohdnorskseripristana
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Free Malaysia Today
Parent targets HM; Umno targets parent
Selangor Umno meanwhile wants action against the parent who uploaded photos of non-Muslim pupils eating in the school shower room.
SUNGAI BULOH: A parent lodged a police report against the headmaster of SK Seri Pristina in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, today for taking photographs of pupils who allegedly reported him.
Kumancan Veeriah said headmaster Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor had gone to the school, while he was on leave last week, and taken photographs of some non-Muslim students who he suspected had leaked the news that they were asked to have their meals in the school changing room, near the toilets.
“I am worried about the safety and security of my daughter who is in Year Four. The headmaster was supposed to be on leave. Why did he come to the school and take photos of the non-Muslim students?” asked Kamancaan who is a mechanic.
“The police need to investigate the matter. If anything happens to my child then the police and the headmaster will be held liable,” Kamancan told reporters after lodging the report. He was accompanied by about 10 people.
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UMNO: CHARGE THEM WITH SEDITION!
UMNO liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar made that demand after visiting the school. While Noh did not name the parent, he was referring to a parent who had identified herself as Guneswari.
Noh today donated RM20,000 for the school’s canteen expansion project.
Malaysian Insider
Umno wants Sedition Act used on those responsible for school’s shower room pictures on Facebook
Selangor Umno wants those responsible for uploading pictures of non-Muslim pupils eating in a Sungai Buloh school shower room charged with sedition.Its liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Noh Omar made the call after visiting the SK Seri Pristana school here today.
Noh said the headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor had made a police report against the parent who had posted the pictures on Facebook for creating tension.
“If possible, I want the police to investigate the headmaster’s report and action taken under the Sedition Act,” he said at a press conference in the school’s canteen.
Umno wants Sedition Act used on those responsible for school’s shower room pictures on Facebook
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THE FACEBOOK WAR INTENSIFIES!
Malaysiakini
A new Facebook page has emerged to counter one in support of Mohamad Nasir; this time calling for the headmaster to be immediately arrested.
Despite being set up only a day after its counterpart, the anti-Mohamad Nasir page, however, has only 1,250 “likes” as at 5pm today, far behind the pro-Mohamad Nasir page, which has 4299 “likes” as at 5pm today.
Upping the ante of the Facebook war, the administrator of the pro-Mohamad Nasir page asked supporters to report the anti-Mohamad Nasir page to Facebook as a violation of its terms of use.
More come to Sri Pristana’s headmaster’s defence
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Malaysian Insider
Side Views
Ku Nan, have some shame in the month of Ramadan – Ravinder Singh
“Bertaubat-lah dalam bulan Ramadan, jangan memperbodohkan orang”.
“The headmaster wants to protect the children from being exposed to the sun, so he purposely put the students in the shower room” said Ku Nan who promised to defend the SK Seri Pristina headmaster if his actions were right.
What if his actions were wrong? Silence, shove under the carpet?
Ku Nan, the first part of your statement is a big, fat, shameless lie and the second part is true.
The second part is true because any reasonable person can see that “purposely” putting the children in the toilet-cum-canteen was a pre-planned act to be implemented upon the start of Ramadan with the sole purpose of hiding those having their food, as if to protect the sanctity of Ramadan by ensuring no one is seen eating in the school.
Similar, though not exactly the same problems have arisen in the past in other schools where non-Muslim students were shooed away from the canteen area. SK Seri Pristina beat them all with its novel idea.
This was a fool-proof way of ensuring they will not be seen eating by anyone, for under the trees they could still be seen.
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Not enough with the stories of the headmaster and PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) chairman, the deputy education minister and other education department officials, a few days ago Major Hardeep Singh, a member of the PTA, had the temerity to tell us that using the shower room as an extension to the canteen at SK Seri Pristana was going to be a permanent arrangement.
…
And the PTA chairman Hussein Mohd Ariff acknowledged that this arrangement had been in effect since March when pupils were ordered to use the shower room to have their recess meals.
“The canteen was not closed for ‘renovations’ then. It was still open,” said Hussein.
Do these people have no shame flip-flopping on their stories, or do they think the public has no memory?
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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Free Malaysia Today
Canteen fiasco: Will the real story emerge?
Who is lying over the SK Seri Pristana canteen issue, the parent, the school or politician Kamalanathan?
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The school has yet to give a ‘intelligent’ explanation concerning its discriminatory move. To now play hide-and-seek with the parents as the school headmaster is now doing to avoid speaking the truth is not going to ease matters.
As far as the parents’ are concerned, the issue is far from closed. But they also worry that their children will be penalised over the issue as the teachers of SK Seri Pristana are displeased that ‘eating next to the toilet’ has become a colossal issue for the non-Muslim parents.
While parents’ of the non-Muslim students of SK Seri Pristana remain horrified over the humiliation their children underwent in the interest of the Muslim students there, the people’s leader Najib Tun Razak who never tires of claiming that ‘people come first’ is ‘at a loss for words’ yet again.
Najib’s ‘silent by choice’ attitude has only strengthened the rakyat’s conviction that BN will continue to buck the system, as far as the country’s minority races go.
Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.
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Politician’s double-speak..
FT Minister may have said, “IF SK Seri Pristana headmaster is not guilty of wrongdoing” but he added, “the headmaster wants to protect the students from being exposed to the sun, so he purposely put the students in the shower room”
Malaysian Insider
Putrajaya to defend Seri Pristana headmaster if not guilty, says Ku Nan
Putrajaya will defend Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor, who moved his non-Muslim pupils to the school’s shower room for recess, if the SK Seri Pristana headmaster is not guilty of wrongdoing, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said tonight.
The Federal Territories Minister blamed the opposition for distorting the SK Seri Pristana canteen issue by putting the blame on the school authorities and the education ministry.
“The headmaster wants to protect the students from being exposed to the sun, so he purposely put the students in the shower room,” Tengku Adnan told a press conference after breaking fast in Kuala Lumpur today.
Putrajaya to defend Seri Pristana headmaster if not guilty, says Ku Nan
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TEACHERS UNION, NUTP, GIVES ITS 2 SEN’S WORTH
Malaysiakini
The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged teachers to act professionally in dealing with pupils of a primary school whose parents were involved in disclosing the use of a shower room as a canteen.
“The teachers dealing with the matter should act professionally. If they act professionally, then none of this would happen,” NUTP general secretary Lok Yim Pheng said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.
Lok was responding to Guneswari Kelly who said her daughter was being berated by teachers after she highlighted the canteen issue at SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh.
Teachers’ union wades into shower room canteen row
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Saturday, 27 July 2013 09:38
What has become of our national schools? – MCCBCHST
Non-Muslim children have the right to eat in their normal place for such a purpose: the canteen. While of course, the Muslim children need not be present in the canteen, which exists solely for the purpose of pupils buying and consuming food safely and hygienically during their Break/Recess.
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Malaysiakini
|
MIC strategic director S Vell Paari is planning to reveal the phone numbers of those who have threatened the ‘shower room canteen’ whistleblower.
He said that he was thinking of publishing the numbers in his daily Tamil Nesan “so that the individuals responsible for this cowardly act would get a taste of their own medicine.”
According to Vell Paari, he had spoken to the whistleblower, Guneswari Kelly – the mother of a student at SK Seri Pristana primary school in Sungai Buloh.
“I have told her to forward me the numbers of those who threatened her and I would deal with them.
“Furthermore, I also told her that if her daughter continues to be harassed by the teachers, then I would go to the school and speak to the teachers myself, ” he added.
MIC mulls exposing those harassing whistleblower mum
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On the Facebook page set up by the group in favour of the headmaster, netizens were defending his actions and sharing blog posts of those who visited the school and found the situation to be contrary to what was alleged.
They also urged the police and the authorities to take immediate action and to “arrest” the individual who reportedly first shared the pictures of the shower room in social media circles which created the media storm.
Malaysian Insider
Face off on Facebook on Seri Pristana canteen issue
The SK Seri Pristana issue is now being fought out in Facebook.
The angry parents are on one page while a newer fan page has been launched in support of the school’s headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor.
More than 1,000 netizens have already thrown their support behind the headmaster in the new Facebook page which was created yesterday.
The page administrator has picked quotes from blogs voicing support for the headmaster while slamming Guneswari Kelly, (as she is known in her Facebook page) the mother of a pupil who uploaded photos showing non-Muslim pupils having their meals in the shower room at recess.
In a posting, the page administrator said the issue has “brought down” a national school, which has a majority of Malay students, and may possibly force a dedicated headmaster to lose his spirit.
The post added that this case was brought about by the mother of a “minority” student who now has gotten the support of the MIC, MCA, DAP, PKR and PAS.
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IT’S WAR ON FACEBOOK! Supporters of the HM of SK Seri Pristana go on the offensive by setting up a Facebook page in support of him.
Kami Sokong Mohamad Nasir Mohd Nor Guru Besar SK Seri Pristana
https://www.facebook.com/sokong.gurubesar.sk.seri.pristana
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21 people like this.
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Tajco Dale Sjøtveit Hello…do not post these pictures in facebook in defending your mistakes…. -
Rizal Bin Majid What mistake? -
Faezil Aidil Jamian yang mistake adalah orang yang tak kenal tandas.. ce tengok gambar bawah ni… tandas ke ? mana mangkuk tandasnya ?
CLICK ON THE LINK TO ACCESS THE FACEBOOK PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/sokong.gurubesar.sk.seri.pristana
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Malaysiakini
A Facebook fan page has been set up in support of SK Seri Pristana headmaster Mohamad Nasir Mohd Nor, with netizens defending his action and slamming those who “twisted” the matter to create a “negative” perception.
Mohamad Nasir came under fire over his decision to transform a shower room into a makeshift canteen.
The Facebook page, which was created yesterday, garnered more than 1,000 likes and is growing.
Netizens are defending Mohamad Nasir’s actions and sharing blog posts of those who visited the school and found the situation to be contrary to what was alleged.
Among others, the netizens also urged the police and the authorities to take immediate action and to “arrest” the individual who reportedly first shared the pictures of the shower room in social media circles, inviting media attention.
The photographs were first uploaded on Facebook by Guneswari Kelly, the mother of one of the pupils.
Meanwhile, Hindraf national adviser N Ganesan criticised the handling of the controversy, claiming that the school and authorities have “trivialised” the issue.”By so cavalierly dismissing and sweeping the complaint under the carpet, it is a small wonder that the school has caused the parents and the general public to be up in arms,” he said in a statement.
He said that the school had many other alternative rooms that it could have used if the canteen was overcrowded, labelling it “inexplicable” that the school opted to place a makeshift canteen in the room that is next to a toilet.
“To pre-empt a recurrence of the Seri Pristana controversy, guidelines must be put in place to ensure that Malaysian schoolgoers are not vulnerable to such thoughtless treatment in the future,” he added.
Facebook page set up to back Seri Pristana HM
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PTA CHIEF: SOME THINGS ARE NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS AS PARENTS. IT’S UP TO THE SCHOOL TO DECIDE WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.
Malaysian Insider
School need not tell everything to parents, says Seri Pristana PTA chief
In an about turn, SK Seri Pristana Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Hussein Mohd Ariff said the school authorities had the right to decide on the makeshift canteen without informing the school children’s parents.
He also admitted today the majority of parents were not told that the shower room was going to be made an extension of the canteen.
“The school has the right to choose what it wants to disclose to the parents and this includes the decision to open up the shower room as a makeshift canteen,” Hussein told The Malaysian Insider in Kuala Lumpur today.
“It is not up to us to meddle with the school administration. We are there to support and raise funds for their programmes.”
School need not tell everything to parents, says Seri Pristana PTA chief—
Malaysia Chronicle
Friday, 26 July 2013 14:04
Stop threatening Guneswari and her child for exposing ‘toilet canteen’ scandal – MCA Wanita
Written by Yu Chok Tow
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Hand-kisser bungles his first real challenge..
Thursday, 25 July 2013 15:21
Kamalanathan bungles ‘toilet canteen’ issue: MIC must take action against him
Written by P Dinesh
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The Sundaily
Shower room canteen whistle-blower gets threats
Last updated on 26 July 2013 – 09:48am
PETALING JAYA (July 25, 2013): The pupil whose mother exposed SK Seri Pristana’s “shower room canteen” controversy earlier this week is depressed after being bullied by both her classmates and teachers while her mother, Guneswari Kelly, has received kidnap threats.
…
However, on Wednesday, she began receiving several phone calls from individuals threatening to vandalise her property and kidnap her daughter.
“I have informed the police in my area of the phone calls,” she told theSun today.
Her daughter, aged nine, complained of being bullied in school ever since the photos went viral. Guneswari said her daughter is “depressed”.
“The students tease her about it, and the teachers berate her. They ask her why I did such a thing,” she said, adding that she has reported the incident to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association.
Guneswari insisted she never meant to portray the issue in a racial or religious light, and that she was only concerned about the hygiene of the shower room.
She also questioned the school’s move of taking photographs of teachers breaking fast in the shower room on Tuesday.
“What are the teachers trying to prove? The children had to eat there everyday,” she said.
Shower room canteen whistle-blower gets threats
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IS IT SEDITIOUS TO HAVE THIS PHOTO ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE OR IN YOUR BLOG?
Selangor acting police chief A Thaiveegan has denied stating that the police would use the Sedition Act against those who spread photographs with regard to the shower room canteen imbroglio.
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Malaysiakini
Selangor acting police chief A Thaiveegan has denied stating that the police would use the Sedition Act against those who spread photographs with regard to the shower room canteen imbroglio.
In a Sin Chew Daily report, Thaiveegan (right) claimed that he was misquoted by a “certain newspaper”.
According to the police chief, he had not said anything to the effect of using the Sedition Act.
Yesterday, Utusan Online (below) reported that Thaiveegaan in stating that those who spread the photos could be investigated under the Sedition Act, warned that such images could result in provocation and racial conflict.
“Police would not hesitate to take action against those found spreading seditious information about the school over the social network,” he was quoted as saying.
A check on Utusan Online today revealed that while the URL for the online article still carried the original headline regarding Thaiveegan’s threat, the content has however been replaced with an unrelated story.
Acting police chief claims ‘seditious’ photo misquote
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Malaysiakini
YOURSAY ‘1Malaysia has literally gone to the toilet’ sums up this whole ugly incident and describes it in the most befitting manner.’
To read the comments, go to Najib’s 1Malaysia has gone to the toilet—Malaysia ChronicleThursday, 25 July 2013 17:22
THIS is why non-Malays don’t like sending their kids to ‘Sekolah Kebangsaan’
Written by Chong Sin Woon
The events at SK Sri Pristana have left me outraged and shocked. Even taking into account the alternative arrangement (which was a lousy choice) whilst the canteen undergoes renovation and the reasons given by the school’s administration, compelling any person to dine in a shower room is extremely unacceptable.
For some time now the non-Muslim and Chinese communities have shown reluctance in sending their children to Sekolah Kebangsaan for fear of one’s religious values imposed on others. The Ministry of Education must address this issue, more so during this Ramadan month when the incident had caused a furore and dealt a further blow in the communities’ trust and confidence regarding Sekolah Kebangsaan.
Unforeseen consequences
If this incident is not handled correctly, the public will only continue to lose confidence in the school system and this primary school especially. To the outside world, it seems as if the school is avoiding responsibility, primarily given that the reasons offered by the school are unconvincing especially to the parents’ concerned
Chong Sin Woon
MCA Youth Education Bureau Chairman
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WARNING!
Those who spread pictures of pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristina in Sungai Buloh having their meals in the school’s shower room can be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948, Selangor police have warned.
Malaysiakini
Those who spread pictures of pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristina in Sungai Buloh having their meals in the school’s shower room can be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948, Selangor police have warned.
Acting Selangor police chief A Thaiveegan (right) said such images could result in provocation and racial conflict.
“Police will not hesitate to take action against those found spreading seditious information about the school over the social network,” Utusan Malaysia quoted Thaiveegan as saying.
Pictures of pupils in shower room may be ‘seditious’
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EDUCATION DIRECTOR GENERAL SAYS THAT THE SCHOOL IS INNOCENT OF ALL ACCUSATIONS!
But some parents disagree.
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THE BUKA PUASA PHOTO AGAIN!
(Photo of teachers breaking fast in the mini canteen)
A photograph has appeared in the newspapers showing the headmaster and a few others, said to be teachers, breaking fast in the mini canteen with attached baths and toilets.
This only proves hypocrisy. A downright bluff in the holy month of Ramadan. How low can people go to deceive the world? Schools close at around 5.30pm during Ramadan.
Why were the headmaster and teachers breaking fast in this toilet-cum-canteen when they could have done so in the comfort of the teachers’ air-conditioned meeting room or staff room? Were these under renovation also? The picture was provided by the chairman of the parent-teacher association (PTA) Hussein Mohd Ariff. He is an accomplice, for the PTA is said to have approved the use of this toilet-cum-canteen in the first place.
Ravinder Singh
Malaysian Insider
Side Views
Toilet canteen fiasco: A deliberate mischief – Ravinder Singh
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Malaysiakini
The headmaster of SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh has been ordered by the Selangor Education Department to go on leave for a week.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Mohamad Nasir Mohd Noor said the department is expected to complete its investigations in a controversy concerning the school by the time he returns to work.
Mohamad Nasir revealed this after lodging a police report at the Saujana Utama police station that he had been slandered.
Mohamad Nasir lodged the report at 11am today, and also claimed that he had received insulting and threatening phone calls following the controversy.
Seri Pristana HM ordered to go on leave
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Malaysian Insider
SK Seri Pristana canteens opened this afternoon to non-Muslim pupils
After all the controversy surrounding the use of the shower room for non-Muslim pupils during the recess, the SK Seri Pristana school canteen was opened again this afternoon.
Pupils were seen seated in the canteen, having their meals during the afternoon break.
SK Seri Pristana canteens opened this afternoon to non-Muslim pupils
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Malaysian Insider
Side Views
Toilet canteen fiasco: A deliberate mischief – Ravinder Singh
Disgusting is a mild adjective, for want of a better word, to describe how the headmaster of the SK Seri Pristana Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor abused his authority to provide what he claims was an alternative place for children to have their meals in the toilet-cum-canteen while the canteen proper is “undergoing renovation”.
But not one photo of the canteen under renovation has been shown so far, and neither did the reporters who went to the school see any renovations going on in the canteen. Without any photographic evidence of the renovations, it is just a shameless ruse to cover-up a heinous act against children in the Holy month of Ramadan, and I believe which goes against the teachings of Islam.
…
Let us do some calculations to confirm S. Yogendran’s explanation. The school’s enrolment is said to be about 1,300 pupils. Divided into two sessions, each would have about 650 pupils. From the photo of the toilet-cum-canteen, it could accommodate only about 15 children at one time.
This means 650 students would have to be divided into 43 groups of 15 children each for all to have their meals. If each group was given only 10 minutes, that would require 430 minutes, or 7 hours to the nearest hour. A school session does not last 7 hours. From 7.30am to 1.00pm it is 5 hours and 30 minutes or 330 minutes.
At this rate, recess would have to start at 7.30am and run continuously till 1.00pm for the morning session, and from 1.00pm to 6.30pm for the afternoon session. Classes would have to be disrupted as all the 40 or so children in a class could not go out together. Worse still, each day, only about 500 could take a 10-minute canteen break while another 150 would have to go without any recess.
* Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insider.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
Back to the
canteen
1 Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud: School NOT guilty on all accusations!
In a statement yesterday, Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud said an investigation conducted by the Selangor education department on Tuesday found that the changing room had been functioning as a break room since March.
“The ministry feels that the school’s decision to use the changing room was appropriate as the school’s canteen could not accommodate that many pupils.
“Additionally, the canteen was closed for the month of Ramadan due to upgrading work.
“The investigation also found that the changing room was used by all pupils and teachers, not just by nonMuslim pupils,” he added.
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Free Malaysia Today
Headmaster ducks meeting parents
An attempt by parents and citizens to confront the principal of SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh seeking an explanation for forcing their children to take meals in shower room proves futile.
PETALING JAYA : The headmaster of SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh today ducked meeting a group of 20 people who wanted to know why he lied to the press about renovation works in the school.
The group engaged in a verbal tirade with the police and security personnel manning the main gate when they were not allowed to see the headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mohd Noor.
…
Mohd Nasir also told the media the shower room has been used as a make shift canteen since March this year due to space constraints in the canteen proper.
The parents, however, claimed this was untrue as none of their children had complained about being made to take their meals in the shower room next to the toilets.
J Puspalatha, 30, whose daughter is enrolled in the school, alleged that several students were questioned by a teacher the day after photos of them eating in a shower room went viral on the internet.
“The teacher asked the students if their parents had taken the photos. Is that necessary?” she asked. “They are only children, they don’t know what’s going on. Why question them?”
The parent of a standard two child, known only as Nitha, denied allegations that the canteen was closed because of renovation work.
“They were only changing the wooden doors of the teachers’ canteen to glass doors, which is adjacent to the students canteen. Why the need to cordon off the students canteen?” asked Nitha.
“The doors were only changed yesterday which probably took several hours, so they were lying when they said renovation works started in March,” she added.
Headmaster ducks meeting parents
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Back to the
canteen
Meanwhile, outside the school, a group of people from PKR Selangor gathered shouting slogans like tangkap guru besar! and telling officials to “shut up”.
There was a minor altercation when the crowd insisted on being allowed into the school compound.
School staff finally let five PKR representatives into the compound to survey the makeshift canteen.
The same group later harassed the deputy minister with vulgar epithets.
—
Back to the
canteen
1 Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud: School NOT guilty on all accusations!
In a statement yesterday, Education director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud said an investigation conducted by the Selangor education department on Tuesday found that the changing room had been functioning as a break room since March.
“The ministry feels that the school’s decision to use the changing room was appropriate as the school’s canteen could not accommodate that many pupils.
“Additionally, the canteen was closed for the month of Ramadan due to upgrading work.
“The investigation also found that the changing room was used by all pupils and teachers, not just by nonMuslim pupils,” he added.
2 The canteen of SK Seri Pristana will be reopened today, resolving the issue of pupils having to eat in a changing room which stirred up a social media storm. The Education Ministry is likely to allocate funds for the primary school to extend the canteen to accommodate its 1,300 pupils.
Troubleshooting mission: Kamalanathan (centre) visiting SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh following the public outcry over the use of the changing rooms as a makeshift canteen.
—
WITHOUT REMORSE
THE PHOTO THAT SHOWS THAT THEY ARE NOT SORRY!
“See, we also eat here! What’s wrong with eating here? If we can eat here, our pupils shouldn’t complain!”
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong took a dig at a photograph which had been circulating in social media today which showed the school staff also breaking fast in the shower room.
The MCA youth chief said the school cannot justify what they did to the pupils by showing that their staff also broke fast in the shower room.
He pointed out that while the headmaster and school staff had the option to break fast wherever they wanted to, the pupils could not do the same as they were forced into the shower room during the short recess period.
…
Vell Paari also commented on the photograph which showed school staff and pupils breaking fast in the same shower room.
“What are they trying to prove? They don’t seem to understand the issue.
“What everyone is angry about is the fact that children are told to eat in the shower room. This is wrong from any point of view.
“It does not make sense to put the pupils in a small shower room when there were other open spaces in the school grounds.
—
Malaysiakini
An opposition leader has blamed the Education Ministry for the shower room canteen controversy, accusing it of failing to inculcate respect for all religions.
Commenting on the incident, which ignited a firestorm of protest, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Malaysians should vent their frustration at the ministry instead.
“Malaysians have a right to be angry at such an irresponsible and irrational action by the SK Sri Pristana school authorities,” he added in a press statement today.
While Lim commended Malaysians for uniting in a show of disdain against the school authorities, he, hoever, said the ministry’s failure reflected the attitude of BN leaders.
Guan Eng blames ministry, BN for shower room debacle—Malaysian Insider
Kamalanathan comes under fire for quick closure on Sg Buloh school issue
Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan was taken to task today for appearing to be in a hurry to close the “eating in the shower room” case at SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh without apportioning any blame on the school.
Leading the attack on the deputy minister was the MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who stressed the matter cannot be put to rest simply with a visit to the school.
“Not especially when they school admitted that they have been doing it since March,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
“An apology from the school is not enough. The headmaster should be suspended.”
…
Vell Paari said the headmaster’s action were “baseless and inhumane” and stern action must be taken against him immediately. – July 24, 2013.
Kamalanathan comes under fire for quick closure on Sg Buloh school issue
—
Isu Kantin – Guru Besar Minta Mohon Maaf
Guru Besar mempunyai niat yang baik tetapi memilih lokasi yang tidak sepatutnya. Beliau telah memohon maaf. Saya juga memohon maaf. Ia tidak akan berlaku lagi,” kata Timbalan Menteri Pendidikan II P Kamalanathan.
…
Kamalanathan turut berkata, sekolah itu telah memohon peruntukan daripada kementerian untuk memperluaskan kafetaria yang sebelum ini agak kecil untuk menampung murid-murid di sekolah berkenaan.
“Saya akan memberi sumbangan peribadi berjumlah RM10,000,” katanya. -Sh
http://www.kualalumpurpost.net/isu-kantin-guru-besar-minta-mohon-maaf2/
—
Malaysiakini
Several senior politicians from both sides of the divide are insisting that the Education Ministry conduct a thorough investigation into the actions of a primary school which made its students have their meals in a shower room, irrespective of the explanations provided by school authorities.
MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong said it was “unacceptable” for SK Seri Pristana’s headmaster to use the excuse that the changing room was clean and only used as a temporary measure.
“From a health perspective, it is simply unhygienic to use a changing room or toilet for eating. This is common sense on the most basic level,” the former deputy education minister said in a statement.
…
Meanwhile, PKR deputy-president Azmin Ali called the move by the school as “shocking and scandalous”.
“Ramadan teaches us to be generous, considerate and more caring to others. This is an insult to Islam and whoever is responsible must be dealt with accordingly,” he, too, said in a statement.
Joining in on the calls for a thorough investigation into the matter, DAP national vice-chairperson M Kulasegaran said this must be done as the school’s excuse that the canteen was “under renovation” has been disputed.
Call for ‘thorough’ probe into shower room canteen fiasco
—
Malaysiakini
Using the shower room as a makeshift canteen is not an issue related to race or religion, Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan said today.
Speaking to reporters at the SK Seri Pristana canteen, Kamalanathan said the issue pertains to the location of the makeshift canteen, as it has been used since March this year.
“Let me make this clear. This is not about religion or race,” he said, after initial reports suggested that only non-Muslim students were told to eat in the makeshift canteen during the Ramadan month.
“It happened to be that the canteen renovation started one to two weeks ago,” he added.
Kamalanathan also said the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has been aware of the makeshift canteen since March as the matter was discussed in a meeting prior to its implementation.
南洋：一名公正党党员带同数名家长，在Seri Pristana国小门口抗议，要求政府将校长革职。
—
南洋：Seri Pristana国小校门口今早出现一批警察驻守，其中三人荷枪实弹，逐一检查进入校园的车辆。
—
Haaziq Zahar @bluecrystaldude
Primary school ordered to close the makeshift “canteen” in shower room. pic.twitter.com/bD6B52HrbH
—
Star
Wednesday July 24, 2013 MYT 2:20:06 PM
School canteen controversy resolved, says Kamalanathan
SUNGAI BULOH: The issue of a school making students eat in a changing room has been resolved and the canteen will be reopened to students from Wednesday.
“As far as we are concerned, the issue is resolved. The headmaster had good intentions but chose a poor location. He has apologised. I too apologise. It won’t happen again,” said Education and Higher Learning Deputy Minister P Kamalanathan.
He said that the Ministry had taken immediate action on the case and we would be conducting spot checks on other schools.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/24/School-changing-room-makan-issue-resolved.aspx
—
Party vice-president and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan wants the headmaster sacked.
“This needs to be a lesson for all civil servants. Transferring the headmaster is not an option. He should be sacked and the ministry must be open and transparent in taking action against the headmaster,” he told FMT.
Free Malaysia Today
‘Sack the headmaster’
Calls to suspend and sack the headmaster, who made non-Muslim students eat at the school’s changing room, is growing.
PETALING JAYA: The MIC, echoing the general sentiment, wants the headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Pristina in Sungai Buloh suspended immediately and sacked from government service.
Party vice-president and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan said the Education Ministry should suspend the headmaster with immediate effect while he awaited a sacking order.
“We know it is not easy to sack a civil servant. But the offence committed is unforgivable. He should not be allowed into the school again. He should be sacked for being so insensitive.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/07/24/sack-the-headmaster/
—
Malaysiakini
The shower room at SK Seri Pristana was only used as a makeshift canteen two days into Ramadan, a group of parents of non-Muslim students said today.
The mothers of Year Four students there said that they were not aware of the canteen being overflowed with students, a reason given by the school authorities yesterday as they explained the reasoning behind using the shower room.
“This was only two days into the Ramadan fasting month (July 11),” said S Chitra, 53, and J Rebecca, 33, respectively.
The mothers have also alleged that the canteen renovation involved only a glass door in the teacher’s canteen and didn’t affect the students’ canteen.
Parents: Shower room only used two days into Ramadan
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Y1M Checkmate
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Canteen In Changing Room , FACTS That You Should Know.
Final nail. Even the school had ‘buka puasa session inside the ‘toilet’ yesterday. Answer to some who challenged this to happen.
http://dhanyaraam.blogspot.com/2013/07/canteen-in-changing-room-facts-that-you.html
—
Malaysiakini is not able to verify the authenticity of the claims in this blog and we are in the process of obtaining more information from the relevant authorities and concerned parties.
Malaysiakini
Following the uproar over photographs that showed non-Muslim pupils eating in a shower room, a blogger visited SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh and says the situation is not how it has been made out to be.
The blogger also published a photograph showing the school’s Muslim teachers using the same room to break fast.
According to the Y1M Checkmate blog, the school‘s canteen could not accommodate the 350 pupils who had their recess at the same time.
Due to this, the blogger said, the pupils were forced to sit outside the canteen to have their meals.
“The headmaster who saw this decided to use one of the changing rooms, located a few metres from the canteen.
“This changing room is equipped with chairs and tables; and has been operating since March 2013 and not recently as claimed by some blogs,” he writes.
The blogger said the headmaster took this initiative so that his pupils would not have to sit in the afternoon heat when having their meals.
“Until the beginning of Ramadan, all students, including Malays, were using this room as their ‘canteen’. There is no… I repeat no toilet located near the changing room.
“There is no toilet located within a 30 metre radius. There are only two changing rooms for males and females respectively located side by side,” he says.
—
Blogger defends HM in shower room imbroglio
—
Malaysia Chronicle
Wednesday, 24 July 2013 13:47
WHAT A CRYING SHAME! Azmin slams govt over non-Muslim pupils forced to eat in toilet during Ramadan
Written by Azmin Ali
—
Malaysian Insider
Muhyiddin orders probe over pupils having meals in toilet
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has instructed the Education Ministry to conduct a probe into an allegation that pupils of a primary school were forced to eat their recess meals in the toilet.
“I have ordered the ministry to investigate the issue of non-Muslim pupils having been asked to eat in the toilet. Stern action will be taken if there is basis (for the allegation),” Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, said on Twitter.
—
Malaysian Insider
Education Ministry orders school to stop forcing pupils to eat in shower room
The Education Ministry has ordered a Sungai Buloh school to stop ordering its non-Muslims pupils to have their recess meals in the school’s shower room.
Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan in a tweet said he had requested SK Seri Pristana in Sungai Buloh to immediately make a more suitable place available.
Expressing shock over the incident, Kamalanathan told The Malaysian Insider that while the holy month of Ramadan was to be observed with respect by Muslims, non-Muslims should be given the space to meals as usual.
“The month is sacred to our Muslim brothers and sisters and there should be mutual respect. This, however, should not translate to demanding that non-Muslims not eat their meals in public places, in this case the young students.
Education Ministry orders school to stop forcing pupils to eat in shower room
—
Malaysiakini
The shower room of a primary school in Sungai Buloh has been used as a “canteen” since March this year due to “space constraints” in the canteen proper.
S Yogendran, the special officer to Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan, said that SK Seri Pristina’s principal had informed him that the canteen was not large enough to accommodate the students.
However, he did not provide an explanation as to why the canteen was not used during the Ramadan fasting month despite space availability, referring the issue to Kamalanathan.
“But the matter is solved. They will allocate a space in the canteen for the students,” he said after a meeting with parents, school administration, and Education Ministry officials at the school premises today.
Shower room used as ‘canteen’ since March
—
Malaysiakini
Photographs which have emerged online allegedly showing non-Muslim students of a primary school being made to eat in a shower room during fasting month, have angered netizens.
The photographs uploaded supposedly by a parent on popular social networking site Facebook yesterday, shows students of SK Seri Pristina in Sungai Buloh sitting around tables set up in the school’s changing or shower room.
It is alleged that school authorities have made the students eat in the makeshift dining room, located next to the toilets.
No food is believed to be served in the canteen, which is said to be closed during Ramadan.
It was stated that Education officials have met with school authorities and parents at 2.30pm.
In an immediate response on Twitter, Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan (below) said the school has been instructed to change the location of the temporary eating room.
Non-Muslim students forced to eat in shower room
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On Facebook, students shown eating in school toilet
Children are seen taking their recess break in a shower room allegedly at SRK Sri Pristana in Sungai Buloh. — Pictures posted by Facebook user Guneswari KellyPETALING JAYA, July 23 — Pictures depicting non-Muslim primary school students allegedly forced to eat their recess meals in a toilet due to the ongoing Ramadan fasting month has Malaysians up in arms on the Internet.
Posted by a mother by the name of Guneswari Kelly on social network Facebook, the photographs appear to show several non-Muslim children and even adults at a school named as SRK Sri Pristana in Sungai Buloh taking their recess in the lavatory even as the school canteen went unoccupied.
– See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/on-facebook-students-shown-eating-in-school-toilet#sthash.HroWRAGw.dpuf
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weehingthong 
what an animal hm he/she is doing this during holy month!is this the way ur sacred relgion taught u?i can’t tolerate such bigo thelming the school.rightly,he is not fit to be an academician.he is a racist,extremist bullying small kids with no meanto defend themselves.a subtly sadstic act indeed
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After going round reading from the blog/fab/news and video interview, my personal view point on this issues are (I’m not there to witness so my perspective can be out of context too) :-
• The bilik persalinan/shower room (aka Tandas to some commenters) has been used to ease the canteen overflow issue and Muslim/non-muslim both have been using it for some time. When it come to Ramadhan where only handful of student need to use the canteen (non muslim and some muslim which are not obligated to fast due to small age) the HM may decide that the “bilik persalinan” is enough to cater the small need during ramadhan months so decided to take simple approach by shutting down the canteen area totally for some reason (ex. minor renovation), to debate whether it is the right thing to do or not is depending on decision maker perspective. Well, we all make some decision here and there but decision has to be made.
• Then come this new parents/student (I read somewhere the one who complaint just transfer the kid to the school) and the parent not happy with the arrangement and make a quick assumption and overreact. The new parent may have tried to talk to HM but has not getting good attention from HM. HM may have taken the feedback lightly since the “bilik persalinan” has been use as canteen extension for some time thus do not take action base on the one complaint ( I do not say it is the right thing for HM to ignore the one or minor complaint but as human we sometime do that as well). Not satisfied with the treatment the parent posted the picture in the FB and make a RACIST comment. As usual the RACIST comment will get a wild attention from our beloved 1Malysia folks
• Then the whole thing were blown out of proportion by our our beloved 1Malaysia citizen comments. Judging from those comments I think many of us still “Jumpy” on issues and adding fuels by making a racist comments.
• While most of us here wanted a harmony among different cultures, religions, races and fair government we FAIL to practice ourselves. What a bad role model from us. Look at our own comment …. Do you think we are all role modeling and promoting good 1Malaysia behavior as we all demanding from others?.
• Please wake up … we all need to play part for a good 1Malaysia. Try to understand each other, understand the issue and limitation. If you ever manage an organization, we all need to make a decision and NONE of our DECISION can satisfy 100% of the population so be reasonable and compromise when needed unless the decision is obviously wrong and unacceptable by all mean.
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