Loke to consult cabinet on revising brewery donation ban

Amid uproar over a school’s fundraising programme involving a brewery company, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said he would seek the cabinet’s view about revising an Education Ministry guideline.

The set of instructions forbids schools from receiving money generated from the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

“Tomorrow, when I go to the cabinet (meeting), I will tell them that this guideline should be revised.

“The guideline should not have such restrictions, at least not for Chinese primary schools,” he said at a press conference held at SMK Besar in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan.

Earlier, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek ruled out providing exemptions or reviewing guidelines that bar schools from receiving funds generated from selling tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

“So, my advice is to follow the guidelines.

“Schools must ensure that the responsibility is with the administrators to ascertain that everything runs smoothly,” she said.

‘Why the fuss now?’

Loke criticised those making an issue out of the matter, saying Tiger Beer has been organising fundraising concerts for Chinese schools for 30 years.

“In fact, I attended one dinner about a week ago.

“All this while it has never been an issue until this one Selangor PAS leader raised the matter and attacked the deputy minister who attended the event,” the DAP secretary-general lamented.

He also reminded the public that Tiger Beer is a tax-paying local company and it was unfortunate that the opposition has played up this issue.

“Yes, there are guidelines when it comes to beer and alcohol advertisements but we’re not encouraging alcoholism.

“Tiger Beer has been organising this fundraising for 30 years without any problems… why is it a problem now?” he asked.

Pressed on the 2018 Education Ministry circular, Loke said they were caught unawares by it.

“This guideline was introduced on March 29, 2018, and we were unaware of its existence.

“Therefore, tomorrow I will go to the cabinet to explain that this guideline is impractical, as Chinese primary schools most definitely need charity performances to support Chinese education.

“And these programmes are organised outside the school premises to collect donations to develop schools.

“Right now, the opposition wants to create an issue out of everything to create a polemic,” the Seremban MP added.

Last Sunday, a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Sepang courted controversy after it was found that Tiger Beer was one of the donors.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu officiated the event. Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Lwi Kian Keong was also in attendance.

While the Education Ministry said it would investigate the matter, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh criticised Selangor PAS for stirring up the issue, accusing the party of distorting facts and inciting the emotions of the Malays.

Earlier today, Aiman lashed out at her detractors over her participation in the event, labelling them as “hypocrites”.

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