So are tobacco funds okay, asks Chinese educationist as DAP defends booze money for schools

A former MP and Chinese educationist has come to the defence of PAS and others who speak out against the funding of Chinese schools by alcohol companies, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim face protests from his coalition government's biggest partner DAP over a ban on the sin industry from sponsoring for schools.

Kua Kia Soong, who once headed the New Era College that was funded by local Chinese education powerhouse Dong Jiaozong, said politicians who accuse PAS of playing the race card are not only ignoring the negative impact of such sponsorship on children, but are also guilty of double standards.

Kua, a former DAP MP for Petaling Jaya who was once detained under the Internal Security Act over his activism in vernacular education, challenged politicians who defend the sponsorship of Chinese schools by alcohol companies to state their stand on tobacco firms doing the same.

"Can cigarette companies also fund-raise for the Chinese schools even if they also proclaim that they are not encouraging school children to smoke? The double standard is only too clear," said Kua, joining a debate sparked by a beer company's RM3 million donation to a Chinese school in Selangor in violation of a 2018 circular by the education ministry.

Criticism has also been directed at Sepang MP Aiman Athirah Sabu, who posed with a thumbs-up sign alongside school officials and other politicians behind a banner bearing the image of a popular liquor brand.

Aiman, who is deputy to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, was criticised by Muslim social media users and political commentators for her appearance.

Although she apologised for her presence, an angry Aiman lashed out at PAS leaders and accused them of hypocrisy for sitting among non-Muslims consuming alcohol during election campaign rounds - remarks that have only amplified memes on social media mocking the Amanah leader.

PAS had reminded Aiman of a circular issued by the education ministry in March 2018, which states that donations in schools cannot involve the proceeds from gambling, cigarettes, drugs and liquor. 

'I drink beer but my ethical compass is clear'

Kua, an academic adviser to Dong Jiaozong, said that while he himself is a beer drinker, that does not mean he would allow liquor companies to promote themselves in schools.

"Being a beer drinker has not blurred my ethical compass as an educationist.

"My colleagues in Dong Jiaozong will tell you, ever since the eighties, I have never approved of fund-raising by breweries in our schools because I think promoting alcohol consumption in schools goes against the healthy values that schools try to promote.

"And Chinese schools have always been proud of the values we try to inculcate in our schools," Kua said.

He said alcohol companies' fundraising campaigns in schools have the same effect as tobacco companies' advertisements that disguise their products, which is why they are banned.

"Let us not pretend that such fund-raising campaigns are not meant to be advertising promotions," he added.

Kua said that beer companies should not be allowed to advertise their fundraisers in schools as it is tantamount to normalising the presence of alcohol in an environment where alcohol has no place.

"When children see their schools collaborating with breweries, they may begin to view these establishments and their products in a more favourable light. This can undermine educational efforts to teach children about the dangers of alcohol abuse and the importance of making healthy, informed choices," he said.

He said schools are expected to act as role models in promoting positive behaviour. 

"Aligning with alcohol producers for fundraising purposes can erode trust and raise concerns about the school's commitment to fostering a safe and healthy environment for children."

Kua said the government, on the other hand, should provide funding for mother-tongue education.

"Why do Chinese and Tamil schools need to fund-raise in the first place? It is because of the unequal financial allocation to the different language streams all these years," he said.

Kua meanwhile urged PAS to follow up on its criticism by pledging fair allocations to Chinese and Tamil schools in its election manifesto.

"All political parties should make it their prime manifesto demand that the State provides equal and fair funding for all language streams in this country," he added.