KOTA KINABALU: Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri has urged the Sabah government to reject the use of educational institutions to raise an issue of the Israeli-Palestinian war among school children.
Its president Datuk Henrynus Amin, referring to the Education Ministry's circular calling for the organising of Palestine Solidarity Week, said the move could encourage feelings of division and polarisation.
"Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious country where students, teachers and parents may have different views on politics or the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
"By issuing the circular, the Education Department is actually bringing political elements into the classroom that can cause conflict and tension among students and teachers who have different beliefs.
"Schools should focus on the preparation of the education curriculum, not mixing political discussions that are not relevant to the school curriculum."
"Schools should be a neutral and inclusive environment for all students to gain knowledge and cultivate good values," he said in a statement.
"Is it appropriate for young school children to be exposed to sentiments of hatred against other races and religions that are considered enemies?"
This comes after a group of 17 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Sabah and Sarawak issued a joint statement yesterday expressing their concern over a notice from the government calling for all schools to demonstrate and observe a solidarity week in support of the Palestinian cause.
The NGOs were Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF), Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Tamil Malaysia (Pertama), Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo), Independent Coalition Of Natives, Sarawak, Malaysia Chinese Educated Students Association, Centre for Education Excellence - Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia and Gindol Initiative for Civil Society Borneo, among others.
Meanwhile, he said that the party fully understood the support of the public and the outpouring of sympathy among Malaysians for the purpose of supporting the humanitarian cause in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza.
He added that the Israeli-Palestinian war in Gaza is a sad humanitarian tragedy where innocent civilians on both sides were victims of a cruel war.
"Anak Negeri urges the Prime Minister to take diplomatic steps in the international arena to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"Anak Negeri supports the proposed two state solution, namely Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and harmony.
"(Therefore), campaigns in support of the Palestinian cause should be organised by political parties, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or civil societies, not by the government departments."