KUALA LUMPUR: The circular on VIPs attending programmes organised by schools and the use of school premises by outsiders is a guideline, says Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching (pic).
"The Cabinet decision only applies when a project or programme is by the Federal Government. So, is it fair that a representative from the government is invited?
"I think that should not be a problem," said Teo.
"If the project is by the Federal Government, I think that is not right if we invite those from the opposition," she said in reply to a supplementary question from Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 18).
He had asked Teo for a clarification of a Cabinet decision to stop leaders from opposition parties from attending programmes organised at schools.
Awang Hashim (PAS-Pendang) interjected at this point, saying that all the Federal Government projects used public funds.
"We are all taxpayers," he said and asked why opposition leaders could not attend events at schools.
Teo replied by asking whether she as the Kulai MP could have visited schools when Barisan Nasional was running the Federal Government.
This caused several opposition lawmakers to stand up and ask Teo to not make any provocative statements.
"If you want to practice revenge politics, you should not be in the government," said Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) to Teo.
Teo then said that the Education Ministry had approved 515 visits by Gabungan Parti Sarawak leaders and 16 visits by Opposition leaders in Terengganu to attend programmes at schools, compared to 170 visits by Pakatan Harapan leaders.
"What else do you want to ask here? This shows that the Pakatan-led government is fair," she said.
To a question on the memorandum by several university students to oppose the merger of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Teo said the ministry will continue to conduct consultation sessions in order to get a general consensus on the matter.
"The Education Minister also received the blessings of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to continue with the merger. I think it is the responsibility of the ministry to involve as many stakeholders as possible so we can get a consensus.
"I hope opposition lawmakers can give their support or constructive criticism," she said.
"The Cabinet decision only applies when a project or programme is by the Federal Government. So, is it fair that a representative from the government is invited?
"I think that should not be a problem," said Teo.
"If the project is by the Federal Government, I think that is not right if we invite those from the opposition," she said in reply to a supplementary question from Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 18).
He had asked Teo for a clarification of a Cabinet decision to stop leaders from opposition parties from attending programmes organised at schools.
Awang Hashim (PAS-Pendang) interjected at this point, saying that all the Federal Government projects used public funds.
"We are all taxpayers," he said and asked why opposition leaders could not attend events at schools.
Teo replied by asking whether she as the Kulai MP could have visited schools when Barisan Nasional was running the Federal Government.
This caused several opposition lawmakers to stand up and ask Teo to not make any provocative statements.
"If you want to practice revenge politics, you should not be in the government," said Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) to Teo.
Teo then said that the Education Ministry had approved 515 visits by Gabungan Parti Sarawak leaders and 16 visits by Opposition leaders in Terengganu to attend programmes at schools, compared to 170 visits by Pakatan Harapan leaders.
"What else do you want to ask here? This shows that the Pakatan-led government is fair," she said.
To a question on the memorandum by several university students to oppose the merger of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Teo said the ministry will continue to conduct consultation sessions in order to get a general consensus on the matter.
"The Education Minister also received the blessings of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to continue with the merger. I think it is the responsibility of the ministry to involve as many stakeholders as possible so we can get a consensus.
"I hope opposition lawmakers can give their support or constructive criticism," she said.
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