Veteran DAP politician Lim Kit Siang called for the scrapping of the 10-year-old Education Ministry circular restricting the formation of non-Muslim religious societies in schools, calling it the best example of "Little Napoleons" running riot in the civil service working against the national interests.

teoh beng hock memorial night 160710 kit siang In a statement today, Lim ( right )said that the circular is against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's 1Malaysia slogan and policy and the New Economic Model (NEM) which aims to educate a critical, creative and innovative generation of Malaysians.

The Ipoh Timor parliamentarian called on the government to review all its regulations and circulars which run contrary to the 1Malaysia policy.

"What is the use of boasting about the country as a model of ethnic, cultural, religious and biological diversity when restrictions continue to be in place affecting the formation of non-Muslim societies in school?," he questioned.

He claimed that the circular dated Dec 16, 2000 was used by National Civics Bureau (BTN)-trained "Little Napoleons" in the Education Ministry to discourage, hamper or downright disallow the formation of such societies.

"Why should there be a distinction between non-Muslim religious societies formed before 2000 and after?"

Positive factor

He added that this should be a positive factor to allow and encourage the formation of non-Muslim religious societies under proper guidance and supervision.

Earlier, certain quarters had argued that this was a misunderstanding of the circular Bil.20/2000 issued by the Education Ministry, which said all school societies must be registered with the state education departments.

On July 23, MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok urged the ministry to quickly resolve the ban imposed on the formation of non-Muslim religious societies in the nation's schools once and for all.

The issue was brought to light when an English tabloid earlier this month reported the closure of Klang High School's Buddhist, Hindu and Christian associations.