Professionals in terrorism and experts on Islamic State (IS) will be invited to brief the parent-teacher associations, the teachers unions and the students associations on the danger posed by the militant group.

Education Minister Mahdzir Khalid said the special briefing will focus on two main aspects, namely Islam’s view on terrorism and the misuse of Islam for terrorism purposes.

“This is to ensure that all parties that are related to education, whether at federal, state or district level can get a clear explanation of IS, and thus prevent educators from being involved with the militant group,” he told a press conference at the ministry’s Aidilfitri open house at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) today.

Mahdzir said although no students, teachers or school administrators were involved in IS, they should be given a clear explanation to stop it from spreading to schools.

On another note, he said the Risda proposal to cultivate ketum should consider its effect on the educational institution, especially the students.

The minister said that school students were found to be involved in the drinking of ketum juice although ketum was not widely cultivated.

Asked whether the proposal would create a new problem, Mahdzir said: “I hope they pick another plant to cultivate because it (ketum) spells trouble.”

Risda chairperson Zahidi Zainul Abidin yesterday said they will seek government approval to cultivate ketum to raise the income of rubber smallholders since there is high demand from pharmaceutical companies in America (US) and Europe.

- Bernama