When this was reported in the media yesterday, can you imagine what the parents of schoolchildren will be thinking? Since when is the Minister of Education involved in mobilization for any protests, war or otherwise? Did the Ministry bothered to ask the parents who ultimately are responsible for these kids if this can be done?
First, read the article right here. Then our comments.
Gaza Under Siege: Ministry plans huge protest by schoolkids
By Regina Lee
2009/01/09
PUTRAJAYA: Nearly all schoolchildren in the country will be mobilised to protest against the Gaza offensive by Israeli forces. Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said about five million pupils and 360,765 teachers from more than 10,000 schools would be involved.
“This is to create a wave of pressure for the Israelis to stop their violence and oppression of Palestinian civilians.”
He said the ministry would be working with the Information, Foreign, and Youth and Sports Ministries, as well as Peace Malaysia, to expand the campaign to a mega scale.
“When we protested against the US invasion in Iraq, we managed to get 200,000 people into Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
“We are confident that youth leaders from political parties, including those in Pakatan Rakyat will join us in this fight against the Zionist regime,” he said after his ministry’s New Year gathering at Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.
Hishammuddin said the directive was passed in the cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Asked on the danger of exposing children to such atrocities, the minister said: “When they grow up, they will have to face global issue like peace, environment and the economic crisis.”
He said he would be using the Unesco platform, of which he is an executive board member, to voice out Malaysia’s concern over the Gaza crisis.
First, any public rallies in Malaysia must have a police permit. In this case, if this massive protest is held, the Government can be assumed to have a legitimate permit to make this a legal event. Most protests are illegal as they are generally organized by groups against the Government. The recent gatherings of protests by various people yesterday against Israel’s offensive actions in Gaza may have been illegal, even if it was Tun M present. Maybe this is the Malaysia that oppositions to the Government must have permits and Government groups don’t. We read about Opposition members being arrested for their assembly of protests but we don’t read about Umno leaders in the same.
Second, all participation in LEGAL assemblies should and must be voluntary. Schoolchildren cannot be “volunteered” to go to such massive protest rally because it is NOT part of the school curriculum or even extra-curricular activities. Underaged students must obtain parental consent prior to extra-curricular activities. Who will be responsible for any mishaps which is very highly possible especially when Hishamuddin referred to squeezing 200,000 people into the Bukit Jalil stadium. This is blatant overfilling beyond maximum capacity and if there is a stampede of any sort, how will our naive children be protected? Adults are responsible for their own actions by law and by nature. Children are under the responsibility of their parents and guardians and the Ministry of Education CANNOT compel parents to allow these innocent lives to be exposed to unnecessary risks.
Third, since when do Malaysians use innocent children as protest collaterals sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and the Cabinet? For one, all the children of Ministers probably do not attend Government schools and not in town, and hence, exempted from this protest rally. So, our voted leaders feel it is OK to use our children, no matter what the age is, to be party to this planned rally. Then perhaps we might have voted in the wrong people who has little care and concern about the future of our children. If the parents bring their children, so be it. But if the Ministry takes our children for such purpose, that’s NOT OK!
Fourth, if the Government thinks it so important to fill up a stadium for a massive protest rally, perhaps they should be looking at ADULTS in the civil service. Malaysia has the LARGEST civil service per capita in the world it seems. There should be enough people to deploy to break the Malaysia Guiness Record, a Malaysia Boleh event to squeeze 300,000 civil service staff to the Bukit Jalil stadium. Don’t use naive children.
Lastly, what was the purpose of the protest again? How will this help halt the Israeli offensive at Gaza? Nobody knows but it probably gives political mileage to whoever organizes it. Is this what Hishamuddin hopes for?
P/S In case you are interested to read what others are thinking about this issue, try these: The Malaysian Insider, Michelle Yoon – I Am Malaysian, and Pradeesh – Prasys’ Blog.
