DAP leader and Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook expressed deep concern about a programme held in a primary school that involved elements of violence and extremism, including the use of replica weapons (toy guns). He is urging strict disciplinary measures against those accountable.
However, netizens are saying it is too late to complain about this while others is of the opinion that the programme should be cancelled outright.
Meanwhile, Loke noted that DAP has strongly opposed any form of violence or programmes involving elements of armed violence in schools for young students. DAP called for strict disciplinary action against the organisers and the prevention of similar programmes in the future.
He also emphasised the need for a more appropriate approach to conveying messages to students, fostering values of universal peace, humane principles, and cross-cultural understanding.
According to him, DAP aims to promote mutual respect among students from diverse backgrounds while upholding Madani principles. This statement followed concerns over the Palestine Solidarity Week programme in schools.
Moreover, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged school administrators to control activities organised as part of a “solidarity week” in support of the Palestinian cause but now he says it is not compulsory for schools to organise a Palestinian solidarity week and activities held must also be controlled. This includes children’s use of toy guns or other mock weapons.
In response to Anwar, X user @BigJoe470 said in no uncertain terms:
You should not have suggested this in the 1st place. Just cancel it for once & for all. There have been more than enough displays of support for the Palestinians, even more than the Arabs themselves. Just work on a solution at the diplomatic level & focus back on domestic issues.
— BigJoe470 (@BigJoe470) October 27, 2023
Netizen @kaena_rosley added:
Palestine solidarity week is good but focus on importance of respecting & accepting each others’ differences, regardless of race, ethnicity or religious belief. They can make it into something positive so that our kids generation will never witness any genocide ever again.
— KN (@kaena_rosley) October 27, 2023
Should the government deal with local issues more than with foreign matters?
Netizen @Dev58465458 stated: – Oct 28, 2023
First we have to take our own national issues 1st. We have our own in solvent problems pile up. And we interfere in world issues to waste time. We better focus on our own country economy 1st of all. And our currency is getting downright. It’s a danger
— Dev (@Dev584654581) October 27, 2023
Main photo credit: BFM’s Twitter
