THE big red bulls-eye target on the back of Fadhlina Sidek’s back seems to get larger with each passing day.
The embattled Education Minister is under intense scrutiny with her every move that seems to invite brickbats.
The PKR women wing’s chief is most definitely under pressure with perceived ineptitude and her repeated gaffes are constantly highlighted.
The latest to draw public ire is the decision to grant ‘prestigious’ Victoria Institution (VI) an impromptu government allocation of RM200,000.
This allocation was swiftly condemned as more misplaced priorities by the Education Minister by current affairs observer Zam Yahaya. Speaking on the YB Viral podcast, the VI alumni asked if the funds could be better utilised by channelling them to needy and rural schools.
He claimed that the 132-year-old urban school in the Federal capital is among the best equipped institutions in the country with dedicated sports fields and facilities, multiple science labs and even a swimming pool.
Moreover, Zam opined that VI could always call upon its strong alumni association that included very wealthy personalities such as the Sultan of Brunei if it is short of funds.
As such, Zam insinuated that Fadhilna was trying to hog the spotlight by currying favour with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto who was also an old pupil of VI during his family’s self-exile in the 1960s.
Fadhlina has earlier penned on her Facebook page that she was touched by Prabowo’s concern for the school. Hence her sudden visit and surprise windfall.
Clip of the podcast was shared on pro-opposition activist Ratu Naga a.k.a. Syarul Ema Rena Abu Samah’s FB page who saw this as another opportunity to pour further scorn on the Nibong Tebal MP who has enraged the entire nation over her poor handling of Zara Qairina Mahathir’s tragic death.
Following public outcry over perceived over-spending in providing Jalur Gemilang badges to school pupils, this was yet another example of misplaced spending, according to one commenter.
It was also added contemptuously that this was spending for self-glorifying sake and public funds was being treated as her own personal wealth.
Echoing the sentiment of the podcaster, one commenter also agreed plenty other schools were in dire need of funds to repair the basics such as toilet facilities in her son’s school. She claimed that her son’s classroom was getting by with “just one slow, barely functioning fan”.
Others also pointed out that there were more needy and deserving schools than VI. One even queried just who approved this allocation.
Some commenters did not mince their words and simply called a spade for what it was.
Viewed alongside the Education Minister’s recent apple-polishing antic of getting school pupils to wish Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “Happy birthday, PMX!” and “We love you, PMX” in conjunction with the latter’s 78th birthday, this is just another example of perceived ineptitude and misplaced priorities.
Public anger is definitely growing with Fadhlina being singled out as symptomatic of the Madani administration’s ineffectiveness.
Question is how long will Pakatan Harapan (PH) allow this to continue? Circle the wagons and dig in or will the 47-year-old Islamic family lawyer by qualification be sacrificed to salvage declining public opinion? – Aug 25, 2025
