SEREMBAN: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has dismissed a recent claim on social media that students were forced to serve alcohol at an old boys' association reunion and centenary dinner, calling the allegations a politically motivated attack against him.
Loke, who is also a former student of St.Paul's Institution, claimed the individual who allegedly uploaded the post had been looking for every possible opportunity to attack him.
"In the social media post, the individual specifically mentioned that I was the guest of honour at the Old Paulian Association dinner and that other elected representatives from the DAP were also present.
"The intention was clearly to insinuate that we had allowed such activities to take place and that we had disrespected the school by supposedly allowing students to handle wine glasses," he said.
Loke said he was prepared to face anyone who wished to challenge him on policies or political matters and that his opponents should not drag innocent students and teachers into such matters.
"I was personally present at the dinner, and I can testify that the organisers never, at any time, instructed students to handle alcoholic beverages or participate in any activity involving alcohol.
"The participation of the school principal, former principals, teachers and students in the annual dinner has always been part of our long-standing tradition," he said.
Loke said the purpose of involving the students was to maintain a close connection between the alumni association and the schools.
He said this was also to allow students to understand that their schools have been able to survive, develop and continue operating for so many years because of the continuous contributions and support of former students.
"It is also to instil in them the same spirit of giving back.
"This connection between the alumni association and the school is extremely important," he said adding that the funds raised through these activities have been channelled towards the schools' development, maintenance and other educational needs.
The purpose of the dinner, he said, was not merely to bring former students together for a reunion but more importantly, to mobilise the support and contributions of the alumni to help the schools.
"This is particularly important because the secondary school remains a partially government-aided school, while the primary school is a fully government-aided school," he said.
OPA had also strongly denied claims that school prefects were made to handle or serve alcoholic beverages during its centenary reunion dinner on Sept 5.
Its president Steven Chan said the student prefects who attended participated voluntarily with written parental consent, and their duties were strictly limited to ceremonial protocol, registration, selling commemorative merchandise, and welcoming guests
Loke admitted that alcoholic beverages were served and consumed by some guests during the dinner held at a restaurant.
"During the dinner, there was a ceremonial toast on stage. However, the organisers used tea instead of alcohol for the toast.
"This is a traditional Chinese practice known as 'yi cha dai jiu', which means substituting tea for wine," he said.
The fake news, he said, has caused considerable repercussions and affected the school principal, teachers, students and parents.
Police officers, he said, had also visited the school to question 31 students.
"This has undoubtedly affected the students.
"Imagine being a secondary school student who is required to undergo police questioning," he said adding that being questioned by the police can be frightening and psychologically distressing for any teenager.
Loke said the school principal also had to prepare reports and provide explanations to the Education Ministry.
Loke said he felt sorry that the school community has had to go through all this.
