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Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email Wonder if this MP did read the hansard. The words used didn't merely sound like asking clarification. Even if he was raising public concern, can he quote verbatim without mentioning so? He should be refered to the BN Whip for causing religious tension. The proof is there in writing. Surely he can report MP Parit Sulong to the Whip for going against BN spirit.
I'm soooo confused…..
| 'Remove crucifixes' MP explains himself http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/75642 |
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The Barisan Nasional MP who suggested that crucifixes be removed from mission schools today explained that he was merely raising public concern.
Syed Hood told the Dewan Rakyat that he believes that the school board in mission schools are partially administered by foreign churches, for example the Vatican City in Italy. He said he was "ashamed and disappointed" that schools in an Islamic country like Malaysia are still under the control of churches and that they display icons like crosses and statues. However, he told reporters today that he did not raise the issue in bad faith but had merely raised the “grouses of the public”. "As the people's representative, I hear complaints and laments from the public. And every complaint must be given a proper explanation," he said, adding that PAS would play up the issue if no proper explanation was given. Thanking mission schools for providing education to Malaysians in the early years, Syed Hood said: "Then, Malay parents didn't send their children to mission schools. But now that the country has developed, we have many of them doing so and we need to explain to them when they have doubts." Explaining that Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar's reply in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday had clarified the matter, Syed Hood said: "The clarification would provide much relief to the people of all races." Respect for religion "What I said in the Dewan does not reflect Syed Hood the MP. I, as an individual and politician, always respect other races and religions. "I personally don't have any issue with crosses being displayed in mission schools. We have to respect the religion of others to gain their respect for our religion." He said his eldest child had attended SMK Convent Batu Pahat when his family lived in the town. Asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz's statement that action would be taken against him if a police report is lodged regarding his remarks, Syed Hood said: "We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst." He also said that, in life, one has to make mistakes and learn from these, and if he has made one, then it can still be rectified. 'Hisham must explain' However, Nazri reiterated today that no action would be taken against Syed Hood unless there is a complaint from other MPs. "I am the (BN) deputy whip. I have to wait for other members to complain," he told reporters today.
"I call on Hishammuddin to explain how many mission schools in the country have replaced the cross in the school emblem, together with a full list of the schools concerned and the relevant particulars on the year of removal and why," he said. He also explained that he had received complaints in his blog about several mission schools where the crucifixes on their emblems have been replaced. "Among the schools are St David High School, Malacca (crucifix replaced with a crown), Convent Girls School, Muar (crucifix replaced with a crescent moon), and Methodist Boys Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur," he said. |
Syed Hood Syed Edros (BN-Parit Sulong) told reporters in Parliament that he raised the issue in the Dewan Rakyat in order to get clarification from the Education Ministry. 
On Oct 29, Syed Hood and Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) ( right)suggested that crucifixes in mission schools be removed and church influence over these schools be stopped. 
Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, at a press conference, urged Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to explain if it is true that crucifixes in mission school emblems have been removed and replaced. 
“Abdullah said he has ‘big ears’ and is prepared to hear the truth. It is shocking that nobody in the MIC leadership… is prepared and has the courage to tell the prime minister the truth. 
Among those sacked or suspended are popular DJs K Meenakumari, K Sillalee ( left) and V Jamuna (right). The latter was a hugely popular contract presenter. 
However, a source close to the station told Malaysiakini that the dismissal was a staff-restructuring exercise undertaken by the radio station which is increasingly losing out to private Tamil radio station THR Raga. 
Hindraf has been under fire recently over its demands for the upliftment of the Indian community which the organisation claims is sidelined by the government, a charge denied by the government and the Indian-based MIC. 
At a press conference in the Parliament lobby today, an emotional GCC coordinator K Arumugam questioned Abdullah’s stance in relation to “angry and hungry Indians”. 
Arumugam also clarified that it is not the GCC’s intention to bad-mouth the MIC, as there is agreement with president S Samy Vellu's claims that the party has done a lot for the community. 
He said this must start from the Prime Minister's Office, with the premier chairing a high-level task force to address issues pertaining to poverty within the community. 
