Johor MIC lambasted for using school for politics

The Johor MIC has come under fire from several unhappy parents for using a government Tamil school in Skudai for political purposes.

As a result the parents of children from SRJK (T) Tun Aminah in Skudai have lodged two police reports against the party last Saturday.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Johor PKR deputy youth chief P Magendran ( photo ) said that the Johor MIC has held an official state meeting on March 8, 2009, in the school premise.

Besides that, computer classes were held for the MIC members on every weekend. The school charged the members RM30 per person for the classes, added Magendran.

"The classes have been on going for almost three months in the school's computer room," he said.

He questioned the legality of holding such meetings and classes in the school.

"Did the Education Ministry give the permission to the school to hold such meetings?" he asked.

"The parents sent their children to the school to receive education, for the children to gain knowledge. The politicians using the school are trespassing into the school," he said.

Representing the parents, M Kanaisan said they were upset with the school being used for political activities.

Ministry urged to take action

Magendran also said apart from the state MIC, federal level MIC leaders had also abused their positions to use the school for political purposes.

He said that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department SK Devamany had officiated the meeting on March 8.

"He is a deputy minister. He should be aware of the laws and regulation. Why did he officiate a political meeting held in the school?" asked Magendran.

He said that such an action was unacceptable and "cannot be digested" by the people, especially the parents, and that it should be stopped.

Magendran urged that the police to look into the matter for any alleged abused of power and abuse of government facilities for political purposes.

He also wanted the school headmaster be probed for allowing the school to be used in such manner.

He urged that the Education Ministry to take stern action against those who abused the use of the school.

MIC dismisses claims

Meanwhile, in an immediate reaction Johor MIC today dismissed the claims made by "some disgruntled parents and the opposition party".

The party's state deputy secretary M Soorianarayanan told Malaysiakini that there was nothing wrong in inviting deputy minister Devamany for a function at the school.

"MIC is the guardian of Tamil schools in the country. It was us who had sought government allocations to upgrade this school.

"And the school's Parent Teachers Association wanted Devamany to come so that he can see for himself that this school needs more upgrading," he said.

He added that the new buildings have been erected for the school but the increase of students has been good in recent years that another building and a new canteen was needed.

He said there were only 600 students when the school started in 1989 and now the number has risen to 2,200.

On the alleged abuse of the school's computer centre, Soorianarayanan said that it was a project to teach Tamil in computers for all parents.

"And it happens that most of the parents are also MIC members. The class is not opened for MIC members only. Everyone was welcomed," he said.

He added that the party has support from most of the parents who wanted to see the school do well in all aspects.