ALOR STAR: Kedah Higher Education Committee chairman Dr Haim Hilman Abdullah claimed that government schools have been forbidding people to take part in programmes that involve him.
He cited three separate incidents in which government educational institutions were queried for arranging events that would feature him.
In the first instance, Haim claimed that a school headmaster had been questioned for inviting him to deliver a motivational talk to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) candidates.
"The second instance involved a multinational corporation, AT&S, which has invested about RM8.7 billion. The company wanted to organise a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme in collaboration with the state government and the Education Department.
"However, two days before the event, the Education Department set conditions forbidding the participation of the pre-selected students and teachers if it was opened by me," claimed Haim during his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Darul Aman today.
He said the incident surprised the multinational company, prompting them to question the situation and causing embarrassment to all parties involved.
Haim also revealed a third scenario involving a well-known book company, which co-organised a book festival with the District Office and Education Department.
"At the last minute, the Education Department barred students and teachers from attending it because I would be attending the event," he added.
Haim described these incidents as being part of destructive culture practiced by federal government departments.
He urged the Higher Education Ministry and Education Ministry to rise above political differences to prioritise the country's future.
"These incidents, which are merely a fraction of many politically-motivated situations, demonstrate the federal government's engagement in a destructive culture that severely harms religion, race, state and country.
"A strong, successful country cannot be built if the federal government remains small minded. The country suffers when crucial sectors like education fall prey to narrow political games," he added.
When commenting further, Haim questioned whether Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek was aware of the issues between the state government and educational institutions.
"These are matters needing urgent attention, and I bring them to light not for personal reasons but because I cannot stand by and watch our people suffer in their own country," he added.