All parties must end controversy over contributions from alcohol companies, says Fadhlina

KUALA LUMPUR: All parties need to stop the controversy regarding contributions and sponsorships from alcohol companies to schools, as the Cabinet and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have already made clear their stance on the matter.

According to Berita Harian, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek stated that the MOE stands by the 2018 circular which, among other things, prohibits schools from accepting donations and sponsorships from alcohol companies.

She said that the decision made is in the best interest of all parties and should not be a subject of ongoing debate.

“I believe the clarifications made by the Cabinet and the MOE are sufficient. There should be no further issues arising from this matter.

“This has been reiterated repeatedly, and we (MOE) stand firm on this stance,” she said when met by the media after the official declaration of Tuanku Muhriz Sixth Form College (KTETM) in Taman Forest Heights.

She was commenting on the ongoing controversy over donations and sponsorships from alcohol companies to schools, which was triggered by a charity event at a school involving such donations, as reported by the media recently.

The media reported that the recent Cabinet meeting agreed to maintain existing guidelines, which include prohibiting fundraising activities for schools from displaying and promoting alcohol on school premises.

The MOE also emphasized that it takes seriously the issue of charity events at schools involving donations from alcohol companies, as reported by the media.

Further commenting, Fadhlina said that all parties need to adhere to the decision to prevent the controversy from continuing.

She noted that attention should be directed toward other, more significant issues in the field of education.

“Therefore, I think we should put an end to this controversy and focus on more important and larger issues,” she said.

Regarding the declaration of Tuanku Muhriz Sixth Form College, Fadhlina said that the declaration is significant as it represents recognition for the college, which was previously known as Forest Heights Sixth Form College in Seremban.

She thanked and expressed appreciation to His Royal Highness, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, for officiating the declaration ceremony.

“This event is crucial in our efforts to elevate the status of national education, particularly following the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM) 2023 results, as we work to ensure that sixth-form students continue to receive attention,” she said.

Fadhlina then visited a booth run by students as part of an entrepreneurship activity held alongside the declaration ceremony.