By M. Kula Segaran

Deputy Education Minister II P Kamalanathan’s remarks that the SK Seri Pristana incident was only a small problem compared to other schools that have done well in integrating it students have come as a shock to the public.

With the incident having escalated into mass exodus of non Muslim students from the school, how could Kalamanathan make such remarks to divert public attention from the latest, escalated and serious development of the incident ?

When pupils have subsequently been bullied and intimidated by the headmaster and teachers and classmates, when the whistleblower received threats and when a parent was arrested by the police, and when pupils were trumatised by police “interview” without the presence of the parents, how could a deputy education minister tell the public that the school incident was only a small problem?

Even if he wants to toe the government so as to be in office, there is no justification for him to make such insensitive remarks which are akin to “rubbing salt into wound”. He ought to know that even the initial incident of eating meals in the changing room was not a small matter , otherwise why would he go there immediately and to offer apology over the incident?

I have many times criticized the Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s continued silence and inaction over the school issue and even asked if he is powerless or heartless or both. His continued failure to respond has made me wonder if it has got to do with the upcoming Umno election since Umno Selangor has taken a tough stand of defending the school.

With Kalamanathan’s most unacceptable remarks, I am now beginning to wonder if Kalamanathan is the added reason?

Let Kamalanathan tell the public if he has told or given the impression to his superior or the Ministry officials that the school incident is only a small problem.

I also find it shocking that Kalamanathan has said that he has yet to be briefed on the investigation outcome of numerous complaints lodged against the school headmaster, Mohd Nasir Mohd Nor. When the issue erupted, Kalamanathan was quick to apologise for the headmaster . So why has he now been so slow on the investigation outcome when public anger has been growing as the incident escalates?

When Parliament meets next month, I shall ask the Prime Minister to revoke the appointment of Tan Sri Muhyiddin and Kalamanathan as Education Minister and Deputy Minister respectively as both are obviously unfit to hold the two positions.