A school principal and the school board member who had allegedly instructed a Muslim teacher to remove her headscarf in order to continue teaching, have reportedly apologised over the incident.

According to Bernama , the management board of SJKC Nan Ya made a public apology to the Muslim convert teacher who was told to take off her ‘tudung’ (headscarf) to continue teaching at the school.

Its chairperson, Phang Ah Ngang, 72, together with the school’s principal, Chiew Swee Tuan, made the apology to the 25-year-old teacher at the Dewan Terbuka Kampung Johor Lama in Kota Tinggi.

It was done in the presence of Kota Tinggi police chief Supt Rahmat Othman, head of Mukim Johor Lama Mohd Nazri Kasmin and Kota Tinggi Education deputy officer Mohamad Fadil Ishak.

Phang, in a statement, said he sincerely apologised to the teacher and the Muslim community in Kampung Teluk Sengat in particular, and in Malaysia in general.

“I hope the issue is now solved and we can continue living in harmony in the concept of 1Malaysia,” said Phang who later shook hands with the teacher as a gesture of apology.

Chiew said as the school’s principal, he understood the sensitivity of the issue and that that it was religiously compulsory for a Muslim woman to wear a headscarf.

“As a school principal, I promise to have more respect for Islam and our Muslim teachers and students, regardless of their race.

“As a public servant, I also promise, without doubt, to adhere to all regulations stated in the General Orders and to manage school affairs in a more proper and careful manners.

 “I apologise for all emotional distress caused by our misunderstandings and unreasonable arguments,” he said.

The teacher concerned, on the other hand, said she accepted the public apology and was prepared to put it all behind and to focus on her career.

“I accepted the apology with an open heart and I do hope that the issue will not be further sensationalised as it is clearly a sensitive issue,” she said.

Supt Rahmat said police had completed the investigation on the case and would submit their report to the deputy public prosecution’s office for further action.

“We hope the case is solved now, but since the complainant has yet to withdraw the report, the case is still ongoing,” he said, adding that the case was investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions, according to Bernama .

'No need to blow up the case'

Earlier today, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said an apology was all that was necessary to end the case, and that there is no need to blow up the matter.

“Everyone has the right to practice his or her respective faith. If the news is true, we urge the said director to apologise to the Muslim teacher without any delay.

“However, we urge Umno Youth not to overexaggerate the issue as if there are more and more non-Muslims insulting Muslims in our country.”

According to news reports, the teacher has already been transferred to another school while investigations are being carried out. Umno Youth education bureau chairperson Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen yesterday fumed over it and not only demanded an apology but also urged the government to sack the school’s headmistress. He said the teacher had also lodged a report against the school management board officer who had allegedly threatened her safety.

“Why should a headmaster be held responsible and blamed for a director’s statement?” Teo, the MP for Kulai, asked in a press statement.

Teo also took Mohd Rafiq to task for linking this case to Father Lawrence Andrew, a Catholic priest who is being investigated by the police for sedition after allegedly saying that non-Muslims will continue to use the banned ‘Allah’ in common church practice for Malay-speaking Christians.

She reminded Mohd Rafiq that Father Lawrence’s case also drew sympathy from many Muslims - local and international.

“In the eye of Mohd Rafiq, are all these Muslims insulting Islam, too?” Teo asked.

“Religious harmony is a vital foundation of a country, responsible leaders should encourage more dialogues and education in order to instil respect and tolerance among different beliefs, rather than adding fuel to the fire and stirring up the controversy.”