KUCHING: Sarawak wants the federal Education Ministry to withdraw a directive imposing conditions on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives in attending functions in schools.
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State Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Datuk Seri Michael Manyin (pic) said the state Education Department recently received the directive via WhatsApp and was now appealing against it.
“What it says is that GPS YBs (elected representatives) are allowed to enter schools but not allowed to make speeches, but we are most welcome to contribute (funds to schools).
“The department met the ministry’s secretary-general and he confirmed that this decision came from the Cabinet.
“We are waiting for a written circular, but at the same time, the department is making an appeal so that no such thing happens,” he told reporters after delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (Nov 12).
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The issue was raised during his speech earlier by GPS’ Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, who informed the House that his proposed visit to a school in his constituency was not approved.
He also asked whether GPS representatives should continue to give their minor rural project and rural transformation programme grants to schools if they were not allowed to attend functions in schools.
On this, Manyin told reporters that the state government could not afford to take “tit-for-tat” action, as ultimately the students would be the victims.
He added that he would go and discuss the matter with the ministry if the directive was not withdrawn. -The Star