SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) — There was a discussion in Kuching that touch on the Education Department program to introduce only halal food in boarding schools in Sarawak starting from January 2013. It sound most unreasonable but true. I have received further confirmation from BN YBs that the program will be implemented. Some Dayak NGOs has voiced out their objection to this program but their feedback is falling into deaf ears in Kuala Lumpur Ministry of Education. By the way, the minister of Education is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
What does this “hala food” program mean?
There was NO discussion held with the non-Muslim community in Sarawak over this program. The immediate impact would be no Dayak or non-Muslim would be able to participate in supply of food to school as it is only reserved for Muslim. Supply of food to schools is BIG business and BN is awre of this and actually encourage that school food business is only for Muslim. All school canteen must be operated by Muslim and by the same token all cooks must be Muslim.
The Government insist that the companies that are involved in food supplies must have a “halal certificate” which mean that the non-muslim must have a Muslim as a partner that hold majority. That sound unreasonable but that is what UMNO controlled Ministry of education is implementing next year.
Implication
Islamic requirement is force unto the people. There are only 15% <uslim and sarawak and how many Muslim are there in rural Sarawak. This is a statement of dominance by Muslim / Malay over other race and religion. This ensure that malay got big time food supply contracts. This ensure that Muslim got the most job even at menial level as cooks and cook assistants in school. The MOE wanted to see a complete control of the Ketuanan Melayu policy in schools to ensure that the future of malaysia must be under the control of Muslim and Islam.
Corruption
This act install corruption inside the structure of Education Department business. Talking about 1 malaysia is a sin when you see such racialist and religious intolerance policies of BN Federal Government. Already there are ustaz positions in rural school where there in even no Muslim student. They started to teach the Jawi writing, Arab language and Muslim moral values. By doing this the rural dayak will be getting more backward and in the long run will be made servant to Malay Muslim. What can Dayak do with Arabic language? We live as non- Muslim and why is Muslim moral values enforce to Dayak?
The corruption is not limited to getting easy money for Malay Muslim but also to corrupt the mind and culture of Dayak. That is not at all fair. It is not only talking about marginalization but also racial genocide by BN Government over the Dayak.
Dayak BN YBs response
Generally, as usual they keep quiet and say nothing to protect their own position and personal business interest. What a waste of time for Dayak to vote such representatives who did not choose to speak on behalf of the Dayak. I think the BN Government has cross their line for Dayak tolerance. Over a much smaller issues the Muslim in Penang would be doing all sort to things to stand up and protect Islam. But the Dayak leaders are coward and the Dayak people have to depend on the Opposition to provide them with leadership. With poor information received, the Dayak are always slow to response and eve educated Dayak are scared of attracting action that the Government can take against them.
I just hope that something will change later if that is not too late.
Conclusion
The Dayak is at the receiving end. The Dayak cannot blame others for their situation now because they did nothing to protect themselves.
I do hope that we can band up together and do something about this policy of only serving halal food in schools.
Aram berubah meh kitai – numbang ke perintah BN di Malaysia.— www.shafaqna.com/english/
