Dr Johnical Rayong
KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Youth chief Dr Johnical Rayong is urging the federal government not to politicise education in Sarawak.
He said politicising education by politicians was only to gain political mileage and suppressing their opponents.
Rayong, who is also Engkilili assemblyman, was referring to a report that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives are not allowed to make speeches in school functions.
He said as far as his constituency was concerned, he has been providing government grants periodically to schools and parent-teacher associations.
There are 18 primary and one secondary schools in his constituency.
“So far, I have not received any problem but if the claim (of elected representatives not allowed to speak) is true, then it is unfair to the students,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“The argument that they can enter schools but not to speak also does not hold water,” he added.
“Politicising things would only deprive students from full educational development and benefits.”
Rayong said he agreed with Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief Dato Idris Buang that if the ‘directive’ came from the Education Ministry or its minister Dr Maszlee Malik, then it is simply irrational, irresponsible and done in bad faith.
The issue was also highlighted by Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu when debating the 2020 State Budget last week.
Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research Dato Sri Michael Manyin even mentioned during a press conference at the DUN that he did see the directive via a WhatsApp message.
He said he would be talking to his counterpart at federal level about it.