Conflicting alcohol rules at events that rent Chinese school halls

Summary

• Reports emerged of Chinese vernacular schools being prohibited from renting halls for events serving alcohol, sparking criticism from MCA and Gerakan leaders.

• Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh clarified that the ministry does not ban alcohol at private events in school halls, but confusion persists after a verbal ban was reportedly issued in Kelantan.

• Critics, including MCA, accused DAP leaders of failing to uphold prior assurances to maintain the status quo on such matters. Hall rentals remain a vital income source for these schools.

Some Chinese vernacular schools were reportedly banned from renting out their halls for private dinners and events that served alcoholic beverages.

This was reported by Chinese dailies over the past few days before MCA and Gerakan leaders jumped in to question the government.

The first incident reportedly occurred at SJK(C) Telemong in Pahang. According to the Sri Telemong Sports and Social Club, the school informed them that its hall cannot be used for dinners that include alcoholic beverages.

The club had intended to rent the school hall for its anniversary dinner.

Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh reportedly responded to the issue on Jan 6, saying his ministry did not ban the consumption of alcoholic beverages at private dinners held in Chinese vernacular school halls.

He explained that in many small towns, it is common for Chinese schools to rent out their halls to individuals, businesses, and social associations for private functions.

He added that alcoholic beverages should be allowed at these private functions as long as no students are involved.

“If the board of governors or the school has any doubts, they can contact the deputy minister’s office directly,” Wong said.

Kelantan schools allegedly barred

However, just one day after Wong’s clarification, Chinese primary and secondary schools in Kelantan reportedly received a verbal order banning alcoholic beverages at any function held in school halls.

According to Sin Chew Daily, SJK(C) Gua Musang Board of Governors deputy secretary Chee Sien Chen said they learned about this at a briefing by the state Education Department.

Chee said the Gua Musang Plantations Association, which wanted to rent a school hall, was affected by this latest order.

The association planned to hold its anniversary and Chinese New Year dinner on Jan 19.

Yeap Kuang Wei, president of the Kelantan United Association of Chinese School Boards of Management, said it is confusing that the state Education Department issued such an order despite the deputy minister’s clarification.

Yeap added that he would contact Wong’s office for further clarification.

MCA leader hits out at DAP

MCA vice president Tan Teik Cheng was quick to criticise Wong and the deputy minister’s party - DAP.

Tan also called on DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke to make a stand in the cabinet meeting.

“When controversy erupted over whether breweries could sponsor fundraising concerts for Chinese schools, Loke assured the public that the cabinet had reached a consensus to maintain the status quo.

“However, now Chinese schools in various states are receiving instructions to ban alcoholic beverages at events held in rented school halls. This clearly contradicts Loke’s earlier statement about maintaining the status quo, making a mockery of his promise.

“Loke, Wong, and DAP must stop dodging and staying silent. They must resolve this issue promptly. If the current situation of Chinese schools deteriorates under Wong and DAP’s governance, they will go down in history as the culprits who sold out Chinese education,” said Tan in a statement today.

It should be noted that hall rentals are one of the main sources of income for Chinese schools.

Almost five months ago, issues surrounding donations for Chinese schools made headlines after there was a public uproar over the Tiger-Sinchew Chinese Education Fundraising Concert as Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu was seen holding a mock cheque featuring the beer brand’s logo.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | How concerts help Chinese schools raise money

The Education Ministry ultimately retained the existing guidelines for school fundraisers, which include a ban on any display and promotion of alcoholic beverages on school premises.

However, the ministry stated that the government also agreed to consider allowing vernacular schools to continue accepting donations through the schools’ administrative boards, as has been practised in the past.

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