A parent-teacher association (PTA) from a school in Serdang wants the Selangor Education Department to launch an immediate investigation into the distribution of a political bulletin in several schools in the state.

SJK (T) Serdang PTA chairperson A Sivanesan had sent a letter to the department yesterday highlighting the distribution of the bulletin called Memo 19 which he himself had received on April 1.

In the letter to the department, a copy of which was obtained by malaysiakini today, Sivanesan said his copy came in an envelope addressed to the PTA chairperson, with the postage mark showing that it was mailed at the Bukit Raja, Klang, post office at 5pm on March 29.

He also noted that the bulletin, a 16-page colour tabloid, did not bear any information of the printer and publisher, nor the reference number of the Home Affairs Ministrys publishing permit.

I believe the publication is illegal for flouting the mandatory requirement under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, he told malaysiakini .

Sivanesan named SJK (T) Castlefield, Puchong, and SM Seri Kembangan as among the schools whose headmasters/principals, senior assistants, PTA chairpersons and deputies had confirmed receipt of the same bulletin via post when he checked with them over the last week.

I understand that Memo 19 is making its second round in our school, as was confirmed by the school authorities.

Since the bulletin was sent to PTA members and HMs at the school address, I believe there is a big possibility that our school address had been obtained through the department discreetly, he said, appealing for an immediate investigation into the matter.

Sivanesan is also planning to lodge a police report tomorrow.

Umno-PAS battles

When contacted today, SRJK (T) Effingham in Damansara and SM Seri Kembangan confirmed that top school and PTA officials had received the bulletin in the last one to two weeks.

An official from SRJK (T) Effingham, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the headmaster, both the senior assistants, PTA chairperson and the deputy had received it.

I received two copies of a similar bulletin a couple of months ago and Memo 19 is the first this year.

Maybe they (sender) are trying to enlighten us as to whats happening in Selangor, especially in the Umno-PAS political scene.

He said he does not mind browsing through the bulletins since they are free reading material and we dont have time to read all the newspapers. He said he usually passes the bulletins on to other interested colleagues.

An official from SM Seri Kembangan, also requesting anonymity, said he had received two copies of the bulletins over the last couple of months.

It doesnt interest me because the content is very political. I threw them away after browsing through.

Asked if he knew why schools were being turned into political battlefields, he said whoever was behind it was probably trying to reach out to teachers in this way because they couldnt afford to distribute free copies to every teacher in the state.

Memo 19 contains mainly allegations and personal attacks against Sungai Burung PAS assembly representative Dr Hasan Ali as well as glowing pieces on Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

Most of the articles are from Umno Online and Kelab Maya Umno sites, among others.