Deputy minister prevented us from renting school hall, DAP MP alleges

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok Suh Sim has taken aim at Deputy Education Minister Mah Hang Soon for supposedly preventing her party division from renting a school hall to hold a fundraising dinner next month.

In a statement, Kok said because of this, Seputeh DAP was forced to change the dinner venue, which would have been at SJKC La Salle in Kuala Lumpur, despite having sold 60 tables.

Even previously prepared promotional materials have to be changed, she said.

“I was informed by SJKC La Salle’s administrator that the school received a verbal order from the Education Department to prevent opposition parties from renting the school’s hall for activities.

“Aside from that, the deputy minister’s special officer also called and advised the school to handle this matter carefully and prevent the Education Department from taking action against government servants at the school,” said Kok (above, right).

She accused Mah (above, left) of abusing his powers and said the hall is funded by the school’s board through its own fundraising, with powers to make decisions including granting or denying permission for use.

Further, she said renting out the hall for public use is also an opportunity for the school’s board to earn an income, and the funds can be used to subsidise school expenditures.

“The deputy education minister must understand that the SJKC La Salle hall has yet to be handed over to the Education Ministry.

“Therefore, the ministry has no right to interfere in the issue of hall rental by the school’s board of administrators,” she stressed.

Malaysiakini has contacted Mah and his officer for comments.

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