KUALA LUMPUR – MCA has slammed school authorities for allowing a teacher to launch a flaming arrow at the Israeli flag on school grounds, saying the act glorifies violence and does not adhere to safety measures.
The video of the demonstration went viral recently, and no officials from the Fire and Rescue Department were visible.
Beliawanis MCA head Ivone Low suggested that the school did not consult the fire department before its demonstration, adding that there was a possibility of the arrow misfiring and causing injury.
“Setting aside the outrage over the glorification of violence, and how children are being manipulated to hate and settle scores with bloodshed, a pertinent aspect which must be considered is safety and fire hazards.
“Any demonstrations involving flames would require the presence of (fire department) personnel or fire and security experts to monitor the grounds set up and manage the situation.
“How will the school authorities answer to the next-of-kin or respond to the media and public, had the arrow misfired and landed on a pupil, or on the arrow launcher itself, inflicting injuries on any individual?” she questioned.
Low hoped the Education Ministry would safeguard schools from any form of violence.
Last week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Palestine Solidarity Week held in schools must be properly managed.
“We have to control this. The cabinet had a discussion just now. We encourage schools (to show solidarity with Palestine), but we’re not forcing all schools (to participate).
Previously, the ministry said the Palestine Solidarity Week held between October 29 and November 3 was aimed to nurture empathy and enlighten students on the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Israel-Palestine war.
Recently, it was reported that some schoolchildren and teachers had waved around toy guns as part of programmes to show solidarity with Palestinians.
A special education school showed its support by having its students hold toy rifles and wear headscarves, which led to criticism over its inappropriateness. However, a teacher at the school defended the items as symbolic and said they provided a visual understanding of jihad.
Subsequently, the Education Ministry banned all educational institutions under its purview from using elements of extremism and violence in their demonstrations, and launched a probe into the school.
The Parent Action Group for Education, an education lobby group, then called for the immediate cancellation of the week-long programme. – October 30, 2023