DAP Negri Sembilan today released a letter to prove that the state Education Department has ordered all schools to hold activities on July 9, a move it said was to stop teachers and students from joining the Bersih 2.0 rally.

The official letter issued by human resource and development section head Amir Sharifuddin Ahmad was uploaded on Twitter by DAP Bahau assemblyperson Teo Kok Seong to rebut the denial by Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong.

NONE Wee ( left ) has denied that the ministry issued any circular to schools in Negri Sembilan to compel teachers and students to attend school on Saturday so as to prevent them from joining the gathering that has been declared illegal by the police and government.

"There is no such thing," Wee said in a telephone interview with Malaysiakini 's Chinese edition yesterday.

However, Teo pointed out that the letter proved otherwise and asked Wee to explain.

According to the Education Department letter dated July 1, Amir Sharifuddin ordered district education offices to direct all schools under their jurisdiction to launch "fitness month" activities on July 9.

The officer said the move was in accordance with the ministry's decision to launch "fitness month" between July 1 and 31.

No medical leave is allowed

Teo said he also received numerous complaints from teachers in the state that they were being compelled to attend the activity and that medical leave would not be allowed.

"One teacher said they were also not allowed to claim replacement leave.

NONE "Such a situation has never occurred during normal school activities... hence I believe it is directed against the Bersih 2.0 gathering planned for July 9."

Attempts by Malaysiakini to contact the Negri Sembilan state education director and his deputy could only get the response that both officers "are outstation and they will not enter the office today".

The officers who picked up the telephone also refused to provide the handphone number of the state director.

However, a source in the state Education Department confirmed that the fitness activity ordered for schools in Negeri Sembilan on Saturday was intended to stop teachers from joining the Bersih gathering.

She said the ministry had earlier instructed teachers not to join the gathering and, therefore, the state decided to hold the "fitness month" launch on the same day to prevent teachers from joining the gathering.

"It will be not good if we specify that Saturday's school activity is related to the Bersih gathering."

Malaysiakini tried unsuccessfully to contact deputy minister Wee again today.

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