The Malaysian Insight

SCHOOLS should be where children learn about unity and integration, and should not promote segregation, a parents’ group said. 

Malacca Action Group for Parents in Education (Magpie) chairman Mak Chee Kin said this in response to a recent report by The Malaysian Insight that some mission and vernacular schools in Malacca have two canteens – with one exclusively for Muslim teachers and students. 

Mak said having two canteens would not be seen as discriminatory if all schools had them and also catered to those with other dietary restrictions. 

“Have more caterers to ensure competition and better service. More importantly, (canteens) should serve all segments of society, like vegetarians.”

Mak said he hoped that the government will “have the political will” to act on its messages about racial integration and unity. 

“We’ve been talking so much about integration, tolerance, unity. For integration sake, we should encourage all to eat together at the same table,” he said. 

Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page) honorary secretary Tunku Munawirah Putra said the dual canteen policy in Malacca was not consistent with the country’s education policy.

“Efforts taken by schools should promote and encourage integration. Conscious and careful consideration must be taken to ensure (these efforts) are in line with that path,” said.

Former teacher turned activist Mohd Nor Izzat Mohd Johari however said having two canteens would not affect how students perceived racial integration and unity. 

“This has been going on for so long,it would have become a norm for the students. Furthermore, Chinese and Indian students can buy food from the Malay canteen if they wanted to.”

Izzat was previously sacked for being a vocal opponent of the education policies, including the now-suspended School-Based Assessment (PBS) system while he was still a teacher.

One public school teacher The Malaysian Insight spoke to said that she does not see a problem with a school having two canteens, because some people may not understand the real meaning of ‘halal’. 

“I’m not sure how the canteens involved operated in halal ways, but sometimes people don’t understand what halal really means. I’ve asked my Chinese friends about their understanding of halal, and they have given me different views of it.” said primary school teacher Nurul Hanis Ahmad Raslan. – November 25, 2018.