METHODIST Girls’ School (MGS) held a unity speech during its prize-giving day on Sept 27 in order to overcome divisions in the school.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said he was told of the purpose of the event by the school’s board members who met him yesterday (Oct 1) to refute accusations that the school has denied Muslim prayers at the function organised at KDU campus.
Dr Ramasamy stressed that the matter should be left to the police, who are now investigating what had actually transpired. Ten reports, including eight from Penang, were said to have been lodged against the school.
“The members of the school board think that they have done no wrong and no Muslim prayers have been denied in the school,” Dr Ramasamy told a press conference in Komtar today.
“A Christian member of the board gave the unity speech and a Muslim member who was assigned to the unity speech failed to do so.
“Apparently, the person in was in charge of preparing the speech did not prepare it on time.
“Thus, as a result, only the Christian representative ended up giving her unity speech, a speech that called for understanding and cooperation in a multi-racial and multi-religious society like Malaysia.”
Dr Ramasamy said the lack of mingling and subtle segregation among students of different races and religions have proved to be worrisome to the school officials, both to the management as well as the school board.
In order to overcome the divisions, the school decided this year to go for a change by proposing to have unity speech for Christians and Muslims.
“They are prepared to cooperate with the police and the Education Department. They just want the authorities to understand why they organised the unity speeches during the school event – to bring teachers and students closer to one another.”
As the state executive member in charge of education, Dr Ramasamy said the state government is concerned over the matter.
“Do not make statements calling for their punishment without knowing the facts,” advised Dr Ramasamy.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan