Perkasa has told Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan to take it up with the sultans if he is insistent against allowing cow slaughtering in school grounds.

Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said this was because such practices were part of Malay Muslim culture and is under the purview of the conference of rulers.

“We hope MIC leaders will not be too influenced by sentiments to allow such matters to drag on and affect harmony.

“It would be best if Kamalanathan raises this with the conference of rulers and head of state who are also head of religion,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Hindu parents had complained of the slaughtering during the Aidiladha celebration last week. Cows are deemed sacred by Hindus.

‘Don’t interfere in religious matters’

Ibrahim said the slaughtering of cows in schools was a tradition among the Malay populace and should not be made an issue among the Hindu community.

“This is not something new, so I ask the Indian community not to make it into a big issue.

“If the Indians don’t want their religious affairs or sensitive issues to be interfered with, then don’t touch on sensitive issues of Muslims,” he said.

On another matter, Ibrahim announced that Perkasa will be holding its 4th annual conference on Dec 14 this year.

“We will be amending our constitution so that our party hierarchy can extend until the parliamentary level. At the moment our presence is only up to the district level,” he said.   

In an immediate response, MIC Youth secretary C Sivarraaj said Perkasa’s statement was uncalled for.

Instead, he urged Perkasa to consider Kamalanathan’s statement in a rational manner.

“For the good of everyone and out of respect of other religions in our country, such sensitive rituals should be conducted at people’s own places of worship and not in public places,” he said.