'Alcohol auction': Guidelines needed on permitted events in schools - Amanah

Summary

• Amanah calls for stricter and clearer guidelines on permitted activities within school premises.

• Party’s education and social change bureau chairperson Azli Yusof argues that organising alcohol-related events on educational institution grounds is inappropriate.

Amanah today urged the Education Ministry to hasten the issuance of guidelines on permitted activities on school grounds.

This came following a brawl involving several individuals, purportedly due to unhappiness over the prices of alcohol being auctioned during a fundraiser dinner at a Pekan Nanas school.

"We acknowledge that the said event was an annual programme which formed part of fundraising efforts by certain parties,” Amanah's education and social change bureau chairperson Azli Yusof said in a statement.

"However, organising activities involving alcohol on educational institution premises- particularly to the extent of causing disruption - is inappropriate and does not reflect the true role of educational institutions as places that build civilisation and noble values.

"In this regard, we urge the education ministry to immediately issue stricter and clearer guidelines regarding the types of activities that may be organised within school premises, regardless of religious background or type of school," he added.

Azli (above) said the guidelines need to emphasise aspects of safety, moral values and sensitivity towards the multi-racial and multi-religious society in this country.

"Amanah steadfastly maintains the position that educational institutions are sacred vessels that must be preserved from any elements that could tarnish their role in developing learned, moral and responsible individuals.

"Finally, we call upon all parties to continue ensuring that schools remain centres for acquiring knowledge, nurturing noble character and fostering healthy culture, for the sake of a prosperous and dignified future generation," he added.

No students or teachers

Pekan Nanas assemblyperson Tan Eng Meng told Malaysiakini that no students or teachers were involved in the dinner, where some attendees were “drunk”, and ended with over a dozen arrests.

“It is common in a new village to have Chinese-type schools (SJKC) that rent their halls for functions. This is managed by the school’s board of administrators.

“It did not involve the school headmaster. The board’s chair made a decision, and the hall is commonly used for various activities,” said the MCA Tanjung Piai vice-chief.

The fracas on Sunday led to 18 individuals being detained. Pontian district police chief Shofee Tayib confirmed the arrests, as reported by Kosmo!.

The report said chaos erupted after the men threw chairs at the stage.

Shofee told Malaysiakini today that four men pleaded guilty yesterday and were fined RM700 for committing an “affray” under Section 160 of the Penal Code.

The remaining 14 were released on bail, and no action was taken against the organiser, he said.

Rep: No student, teacher involved in school hall dinner 'alcohol auction'

Alcohol ban: Private beaches, pubs still allowed - N Sembilan exco

Negeri Sembilan bans alcohol in public recreational spaces

5-star Malacca hotels lose halal certs after 'alcohol party'