Teachers, Kemas staff allowed to be involved in politics, says PM

KOTA BARU: The government announced Saturday (Jan 22) that all school teachers under the Education Ministry nationwide are allowed to get involved in politics with immediate effect, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic).

The Prime Minister said the permission also involved staff of the Community Development Department (Kemas).

Therefore, he said, the Education Ministry should issue a circular pertaining to the permission immediately if it is not yet available.

“I have already brought this matter to the Cabinet and decided, in line with the democratic rights of the people, to allow teachers to be political.

“Before this Kemas staff were allowed to get involved in politics but during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) era, they were not allowed to do so. Hence, I would like to announce that Kemas employees are also allowed to get involved in politics,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said this at a press conference after attending a special meeting with the Kelantan Umno political bureau at the Kelantan Umno Building here Saturday.

Also present was Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.

Earlier, the Prime Minister said there was a circular prohibiting teachers from getting involved in politics with many issued warnings that action could be taken against them.

However, Ismail Sabri explained that the teachers and Kemas staff were still subject to the rules of their respective departments.

“Teachers, for example, while in politics they should not neglect their duties. Otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken and so on, it is up to the department (to make an assessment),” he said. - Bernama