Alcoholic beverage company's donation was for school's charity concert, says Zahid

PETALING JAYA: An alcoholic beverage company's sponsorship to a Chinese school in Sepang, Selangor, was for a charity concert and not a direct donation to the school, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the event was organised by the school's parent-teacher association (PTA) and the school board.

"There was no mention of contributions from alcohol companies to schools (Chinese schools)," he said during a press conference at the Desaru Convention Centre here on Friday (July 26).

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On Wednesday (July 24), the Education Ministry announced it was investigating a recent report that a school had organised a charity program involving contributions from an alcoholic beverage company.

Its minister Fadhlina Sidek stressed the importance of adhering to guidelines and urged all to abide by it when accepting any donations.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who is also DAP secretary-general, said that donations to Chinese primary schools have been a common practice for decades, adding that this issue had not been contentious in the past 30 years.

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On July 19, Sepang MP Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu stated that she was not informed about the contributors to the construction of a hall for SJK(C) Tche Min, which allegedly included a beer company.

A post on the Pusat Khidmat Rakyat Parlimen Sepang Facebook page indicated that Aiman Athirah was aware of viral photos showing her, other contributors, and a mock cheque for a RM3mil contribution from a beer company at a school event.