KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has denied claims by a father, who said that his ‘Hindu’ daughter was forced to take Islamic Studies in school.
Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin in a statement today said the school never forced the respective student to take the subject, as reported by an English portal, Malaysiakini, and other media.
“Checks by the ministry revealed that the student has been studying Moral Studies since 2017, when she first started her Standard One.
“In current year, the student, who is now in Standard Three, is still studying Moral Studies.
“The school has allowed the student to do so based on information furnished by her father, without her birth certification.
“Hence, based on the information provided by the father, the school has considered the student as a Hindu, therefore she was allowed to attend the Moral Studies,” he said.
He said for record, the student was given approval by the Negri Sembilan Education Department in 2017, to be registered as a student without document.
“However, to date, the parents have yet to furnish the student’s birth certificate to the school, as requested by the state education department.”
Amin said a thorough check, following a report by the media, revealed that the student was registered at the National Registration Department as a Muslim, the same as her mother.
Amin said under the Education Act 1996, every Muslim student must take Islamic Studies.
“The subject is a core subject under the National Curriculum for Muslim student.”
He said the school has adhered to the matter, based on a proof that she is Muslim.
“Therefore, it was not an issue that the student was forced to take Islamic Studies.
“The ministry is aware of the situation face by the parent’s.
“However, as the status of the mother’s religion is being appealed at the court, therefore the ministry has decided to leave the matter to the court, to make the decision on the matter.
“Appropriate action will be taken in line with the court’s decision later.”
It was reported that P. Manivanan, a Grab driver, has alleged that his daughter M. Luganeshvari is being forced to take Islamic Studies, although a bid to renounce Islam by the children’s Hindu-born mother is under appeal.