KOTA KINABALU: Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban is urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to stand firm against the blanket imposition of Islamic values on multicultural Malaysia, especially in light of multiple recent ‘controversies’ drummed up by PAS representatives who have raised in quick succession the issue of alcohol consumption in the national airline, in private-sector tourism events and now, apparently, on school premises.
Peter John said: “Malaysia is not an Islamic country. It is a secular state in which Islam is the official religion. It also guarantees freedom of religion under its constitution to a large proportion of its population who are not Muslim, notably many of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“These constant attacks by PAS on the consumption of alcohol should be seen for what they are an attempt to normalise Islamic practice within everyday life for all Malaysians, regardless of their religious background. As such, they need to be resisted.”
He went on to say: “Increasingly in Malaysia we see Islamic practice creeping into public life.
“This is mostly benign, like the recitation of the doa at every government event, for example, which is now expected.
“But this recent string of questions seems to me to be a coordinated campaign by PAS to demonise drinkers in Malaysia. Where will it end?
“I believe they will not be satisfied until there is no public consumption of alcohol allowed in Malaysia. In fact, as an Islamic party, I believe they would like to see a complete ban.”
“Alcohol is enjoyed responsibly by many Malaysians for whom it is not against their religion. In fact, fermentation of alcohol is an important custom for the indigenous communities of Sabah and Sarawak, used to welcome visitors and in traditional rituals.
It is now also a valuable product and a key part of our tourism offering. If PAS get their way, are they hoping all this will be stopped?
And if they succeed in banning alcohol, what other freedoms will they go after next?”
“Nobody is actively campaigning for the consumption of alcohol in schools. That would be ridiculous. But, in many parts of rural Sarawak, school halls and their compounds are not just centres of learning, they are also the heart of the community, used for gatherings and fundraising dinners to repair damaged classrooms and facilities.
Do we not believe that our school administrations can be trusted to regulate consumption of alcohol wisely?
Do we really believe that alumni associations are renting school premises to have wild, alcoholfuelled gatherings?” asked Peter.
Peter is calling on the Prime Minister to stop pandering to this string of complaints by PAS representatives.
He needs to make clear that ‘the nation’s educational rules and philosophy’ revolve around religious and racial tolerance, not around Islamic objections to alcohol.
The Prime Minister should first address real and recurring problems in schools, such as bullying, violence, and moral decay among students.
These are far greater threats to our children’s education and national values than community dinners held to raise funds for school repairs.
Peter John Jaban also urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to clarify whether his recent “No alcohol in schools” directive applies equally to Chinese vernacular schools and rural Sarawak schools, where school compounds often serve as community centres for local gatherings and fundraising events in Sarawakto repair damaged classrooms, toilets, tables and chairs, or even to rebuild dilapidated buildings.
These schools are not just centres of learning but they are the heart of the community.”He warned that rigid enforcement could hinder parent–teacher associations (PIBG) from raising much-needed funds to maintain rural schools, given that government allocations are often delayed or insufficient.
“If this rule is applied rigidly, it could stop parent–teacher associations and local committees from organising fundraising dinners that help keep rural schools functioning.
“How can parents raise funds if not through these community events? We cannot depend solely on government allocations, he added.On Thursday (October 23 ), the Prime Minister declared that his Madani government would not compromise on any event involving the serving of alcohol or activities deemed to contradict educational values within school premises even after school hours.
He further stated that even if a school hall is rented by external parties, such as alumni associations, it should not be used for any activity that violates the nation’s educational rules and philosophy.
Peter responded by saying that the Prime Minister must first define clearly what constitutes “educational values” before imposing blanket restrictions on all schools, including those in Sarawak.If events in school halls are prohibited on the basis of ‘values’, then perhaps the government should also explain whether it is acceptable for students to be encouraged to carry toy firearms and wear Palestinian keffiyeh scarves like militant fighters in school programmes.
“Are such activities part of Malaysia’s national education philosophy? he asked.
He further questioned why other serious issues in schools have not been addressed with the same urgency.*Before imposing rigid moral standards on harmless community events, the Prime Minister should first address real and recurring problems in schools such as bullying, violence, and moral decay among students.
These are far greater threats to our children’s education and national values than community dinners held to raise funds for school repairs.*Peter also questioned whether the Federal Government’s rule was formulated with an understanding of the unique cultural and logistical realities faced by rural Sarawakian communities, noting that such policies should be applied with flexibility and respect for local conditions.Another questioned is whether the directive applies uniformly across all schools, including Chinese vernacular schools, or whether certain schools are exempted.*The government must be transparent and consistent. Is this rule meant for all schools, or will Chinese schools be exempted? If there are exceptions, Sarawakian communities deserve to know why the same flexibility cannot be given to our rural schools.*Peter stressed that while the intention to uphold school discipline and values is understood, the implementation must be context-sensitive and must respect Sarawak’s autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).He further warned against attempts to impose West Malaysian ideology or social norms on Sarawak’s multicultural society.*Sarawak has its own customs, values, and ways of managing community affairs. We do not want West Malaysian ideology to be forced upon our people. What works in Kuala Lumpur,Kelantan, Trengganu or Johor Bahru cannot simply be transplanted into longhouses or rural schools in Ulu Baram or Ulu Kapit. Our way of life must be respected.*As long as this kind of radical ideology is allowed to take root or worse, quietly encouraged by those in power the non-Muslims and moderate Malaysians will never feel truly at home in their own land.
This nation was built on unity, not fear, on respect, not control. But every time extremism is given space to grow, we lose another piece of that Malaysia.Good and talented Malaysians are leaving but not because they don’t love their country, but because their country no longer loves them back.
Those who have built a better life abroad will see no reason to return to a homeland that refuses to protect its own diversity. If this continues, Malaysia will not lose its enemies but it will lose its best people.Peter concluded by urging both the Ministry of Education and the Sarawak Education Department to issue clear and culturally sensitive guidelines to ensure that rural communities are not unfairly penalised by policies made without local context.
“We all support discipline and good values in schools, but the government must also support the people’s effort to maintain their schools”
Without flexibility, this policy will harm the very communities it’s supposed to protect. Let Sarawak manage its owncommunity-based approach that is the true spirit of federalism and respect, he concluded.
