KLANG: Transport Minister Anthony Loke today called for an end to the controversy over a fundraising event organised by a beer company to support school donations.
The DAP secretary-general said all school donations should adhere to the guidelines set by the Education Ministry. He said that these practices align with existing policies and had been discussed by the cabinet.
"These fundraising programmes have been conducted for vernacular schools to raise funds without any issue for years. There is no need to create controversy over this matter, which has been practised without any problems for a long time.
"Unfortunately, some parties are trying to politicise it and turn this into an issue," he said at a press conference after checking the status of the LRT 3 development at the Pasar Jawa station, here, today.
Loke said that the guidelines and existing practices were discussed by the cabinet to enhance clarity and respect cultural sensitivities.
"This means that school sponsorships can continue as long as they do not involve Muslim students. In primary schools, while the programmes can proceed, the brand logos of companies cannot be displayed.
"Outside school premises, there are no restrictions on logos and most of these events occur in places like restaurants," he said.
Loke added that the fundraising events primarily involve parents and members of the public rather than students.
"The purpose of such events is to support school funding, and this has been practised for a long time without any issue among non-Muslim communities.
"The guidelines clearly clarify that the organisers should be more cautious and the fundraising events can continue without any issue," he said, adding that there were no grey areas in the guidelines.
Pas had previously raised the issue of Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu receiving a mock cheque for RM3 million with a beer company's logo at a fundraiser for a vernacular school in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.
Aiman Athirah said she was not informed about the donors for the construction of the school hall.
On July 26, the Education Ministry said in a statement that it would maintain the existing guidelines on donations to schools and prohibited any promotion of alcohol within school areas.
This decision was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday.