KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry will maintain existing guidelines disallowing the promotion and display of alcoholic beverages on school premises as part of donations to schools.
The ministry in a statement said the cabinet decided it should maintain the current guidelines, while stressing that holding activities involving alcoholic beverage brands cannot involve Muslim students.
The cabinet has also agreed to give vernacular schools the “consideration” to accept donations through their board of directors or foundation.
“This has been practised by several past governments and has never been questioned by any party,” the ministry said in its statement.
This follows a fundraising event at SJK (C) Tche Min last week where photos were taken of Amanah politician and Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu holding a mock cheque for RM3 million bearing the Tiger Beer logo.
Sg Pelek assemblyman Lwi Kian Keong also attended the event at the school in Sg Pelek, Selangor.
Opposition politicians from PAS took issue with the photos, as did Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh on the involvement of a brewery’s funds in a school.
Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh then pointed out that Tiger Beer, which is owned by Heineken Malaysia Bhd, has been hosting fundraisers for the past 30 years, allowing vernacular schools to upgrade their amenities without relying on the government.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who is also transport minister, had previously said he would seek a cabinet review of the Education Ministry’s guidelines against schools receiving funds generated from the sale of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
Yesterday, Tiger Beer denied making charitable donations to schools, claiming that its role in the fundraiser event, known as the Chinese Education Charity Concert, only involved sponsorship of performances by local artists.
The brand added that event organisers have always been mindful of ensuring that all its programmes and activities are respectful of religious and cultural sensitivities while maintaining compliance with local regulations. – July 26, 2024