DENGKIL: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on school administrators to take more systematic measures to monitor the Palestinian Solidarity Week events in schools.
This was after images of children holding toy weapons, allegedly related to the event, went viral.
"Regarding Palestinian Solidarity Week, we discussed it in the cabinet. First, we encourage the event.
"We don't compel any school, but it must be controlled to prevent any rising issues.
"(Bringing toy guns to school) needs to be controlled," he told reporters at the Ramli Corner Selera Kampong eatery in Dengkil today.
A video that gained widespread attention on social media depicted a school event where a man, wearing protective gear and mask, held a fake rifle and led teachers and students into an assembly.
Among the teachers, one held a sign, while others displayed Palestinian flags or had Palestine-themed scarves covering their faces and shoulders. Additionally, some individuals at the school event also held toy rifles.
Several screenshots from social media also showcased children at a school in Klang wearing green bandanas with "Save Palestine" written on their foreheads as they carried toy guns.
Earlier today, it was reported that the Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) NGO condemned images of children holding toy weapons allegedly linked to Palestinian Solidarity Week in schools.
Describing it as "shocking and frightening," its president S Shashi Kumar urged the government to immediately halt the programme.
He also shared several social media screenshots made by a female teacher allegedly serving at a school in Klang, Selangor.
The images showed schoolchildren holding toy guns and rifles while wearing scarves and head coverings indicating support for Palestine.
Yesterday, the Education Ministry defended the implementation of the programme, stating that it aimed to instill humanitarian values and empathy "regardless of race, religion, or social status."