Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali says the Umno government must be “damn bloody desperate” to have made primary school students wave the Umno flag and sing the party’s song.
He questioned the logic behind the Umno secretary-general’s assertion, saying that Tengku Adnan needed to revise his Malaysian history if he truly believed in patriotism.
The PKR deputy president said many other individuals and groups, and not just leaders of Umno, had fought hard for Malaysia’s independence.
“So ask him (Tengku Adnan) to look at the history books and ask him to read the history of Malaysia,” he told reporters after the 29th Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS) convocation ceremony here today.
Yesterday, Tengku Adnan, who is Federal Territories minister, defended the move earlier this month to make children at a primary school in Putrajaya participate in an Umno-themed event, saying it had been a practice there for the last 10 years.
The Putrajaya MP said the pupils at SK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) were encouraged to wave Umno flags and sing the party song so as to instil patriotism and a sense of belonging to Umno.
“Many people don’t realise this has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with having a patriotic spirit,” Tengku Adnan had said.
“The history of Malaysia says that Umno, MCA, and MIC were responsible for the country’s independence. What is the problem with students waving the (Umno) flag?” he added.
Azmin also questioned why flags of opposition parties were not allowed in the school compound as well.
He said the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government had to be fair and honest, and not attempt to influence students with partisan politics.
“I think they are damn bloody desperate to get young students at the primary school to sing along and also to wave the political party’s flag.
“I do not think it is fair to drag students at that age to get involved in politics,” he said.
On Oct 3, pupils and teachers of the school took part in a “class decoration and performance” competition with the theme “Umno and independence #Negaraku”. The event was officiated by Tengku Adnan.
During the function, Umno flags were draped all over the primary school.
Malaysiakini reported that at one point a banner with the words “Hidup Umno, Hidup Melayu. Dulu, Kini dan Selamanya” (“Long Live Umno, Long Live Malays. Before, Now and Forever”) appeared on stage.
In his speech that day, Tengku Adnan reportedly urged teachers in the school to join Umno. After finishing his speech, the pupils chanted “Hidup Umno!” (“Long live Umno!”).
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Sumber Azmin tells Tengku Adnan to brush up on his Malaysian history