Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan urged the Prime Minister to advise the Education Ministry to withdraw the directive to involve school children in the pro-Palestinian campaign.
Jeffrey said Putrajaya received strong backlash from Malaysians, including Muslims leaders and intellectuals on the issue.
“In social media, Sabahans and Sarawakians have taken to the occasion to speak out again for separation from the nation,” he said, in a statement.
Jeffrey also voiced concern that because the issue is still being whipped up, Malaysia may have already damaged its reputation and international relations with the West, and is now in danger of losing trade relations which will lead to a downturn in foreign direct investments.
“Such developments would be massive economic losses with dire consequences for the already struggling Malaysian economy,” he said.
The Star President, who is also State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, claimed there were already signs of division following the Prime Minister’s expressed support for the Palestinian cause in the current war with Israel.
“While supporting Palestine is not wrong, he urged federal leaders to step back from wild rhetoric by remembering Malaysia had launched in January the Madani principle of governance as the new battle cry for national development and progress following the appointment of the current Prime Minister.
“Let’s remember that the Madani principle is built on six core values, namely sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion, part of a comprehensive strategic framework that is aimed at growth and development to be attained through a larger context of the humane economy that prioritises the needs of the people.
“Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim had said that Malaysia must be known as a Madani (civilised) nation that is prosperous, fair and rejects any form of cruelty towards any individual or race.
It must be a nation that is known for its renewed spirit’ and because of that we were in high spirit seeing that our new PM has the all-encompassing extraordinary wisdom and vision.
“I believe he still holds on to the high ideals for a prosperous Malaysan nation,” said Jeffrey.
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