He said it ran contrary to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 1 Malaysia initiative to foster national unity amongst multi-ethnic Malaysians.
“It is against Prime Minister’s 1 Malaysia slogan and policy and the New Economic Model objective to educate a critical, creative and innovative generation of Malaysians,” Lim said.
“What is the use of boasting about Malaysia as a model of ethnic, cultural, religious and biological diversity and Malaysia’s rich and unique cultural heritage when restrictions continue to be in place affecting the formation of non-Muslim societies in schools?”
The Ipoh Timur MP was referring to a 10-year-old Education Ministry circular which requires all non-Muslim religious societies formed after 2000 to be approved by the state education department director.
Such societies founded before December 2000 were not required to do so.
Besides the circular, Kit Siang also called on the Cabinet to “review all government regulations and circulars which run contrary to the 1 Malaysia policy enunciated by Najib” this Wednesday.
This issue came to light earlier this month when a local newspaper reported on the dissolution of three non-Muslim religious societies in Klang High School.
The Kelab Agama Hindu, Kelab Agama Buddha and the Christian Union were dissolved by the school principal after reportedly receiving a directive from the state education department.
However, the clubs were founded in 1969 and according the circular, they should be able to proceed with their activities as per usual.
Since the report, a string of similar complaints from parents, teachers, students and religious groups materialised throughout the country.
The Education Ministry has since assured Malaysians that the circular does not spell the disbanding of religious clubs but only the need for an approval from the state education department.