Call on Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin to direct that ritual slaughtering in school compounds be completely stopped.

Media Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and Ipoh Barat MP in Ipoh on Oct 23, 2013

Call on Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin to direct that ritual slaughtering in school compounds be completely stopped. 

It was reported yesterday the principal of SK Puchong Jaya in Selangor Mohd Amin Bahari, in an audio recording conversation with one Saravanan, has defended the cow slaughtering ritual held in the school grounds in conjunction with Aidiladha last week.

He said there was no intention to offend Hindus who view cows as a sacred creature and that he did ask non Muslim teachers and students to be separated from the slaughter ritual. He further added that he consults all the teachers including non-Muslims when it comes to any school activity.

The principal can offer whatever excuses and explanations but he cannot run away from three basic facts.

Firstly, some parents were upset about the school’s insensitivity and had made pubic complaint.
Secondly, many Malaysians were upset too and had expressed their anger through internet and social media comments.

Thirdly, some Muslim MPs as well as educational organizations have publicly spoken out against the practice of carrying out ritual slaughter in schools.

Yesterday, PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli said any school should be off limits for the slaughter of animals, be it religious schools, ethnic-based schools or national schools.

PAS Sham Alam MP Khalid Samad has expressed shock that such events are being held in school compounds, adding that in his time this was quite unheard of.

National Parent-Teacher Association Collaborative Council president Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan said Muslim authorities in schools should understand the religious practices of non Muslim students.

I reiterate my earlier call that ritual slaughtering in school compounds must be completely stopped.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin has disappointed many Malaysians when he kept silent on the SK Seri Pristana Meals in Changing Room incident.

He must not remain silent on this new issue as it involves the important issue of religious sensitivity.

The first thing that he should do is to openly say that the government will not allow such ritual slaughtering in school compounds. He should also issue a written directive to all schools that ritual slaughtering in school compounds must be completely stopped.