'Don't dance with PAS and Umno', Guan Eng slams Fadhlina as row over booze money for schools deepens

DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has launched a scathing attack on Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for refusing to exempt Chinese schools from a ministerial ban on sponsorship and contributions from beer companies to schools across the country.

Lim also took aim at PAS and Umno, whose leaders had criticised the presence of an alcohol company's logo at a fundraising event organised for a Chinese school in Selangor, which violates a 2018 education ministry circular banning donations from alcohol, gambling and tobacco companies.

Fadhlina had among others urged all schools to comply with the directive, despite pressure from DAP leaders, including its secretary-general Anthony Loke, who wants the ban reviewed.

Her decision was supported by Umno Youth leader Dr Akmal Salleh, who urged Loke not to question the existing rules.

Lim, however, said today that Fadhlina should not "dance on the same stage" with PAS and Umno Youth on the issue.

"Fadhlina's previous comments on the Chinese education charity performance were a bit harsh," he was quoted as saying by Chinese-language daily Nanyang Siang Pau.

"I hope she will reconsider. She is not the PAS education minister, and should not listen to PAS. She is the education minister of Pakatan Harapan, the unity government and the country as a whole," said Lim.

He also warned against "interfering or disrupting" fundraising for Chinese education.

The issue was triggered after social media users criticised Amanah leader and Sepang MP Aiman Athirah Sabu for giving the thumbs-up sign while posing next to a banner with the logo of Tiger Beer, at a fundraiser for a Chinese school in her constituency.

The brand's involvement in the school programme was criticised by PAS, who said it amounted to normalising alcohol consumption among schoolchildren, a view shared by Chinese education activist and former DAP MP Kua Kia Soong.

"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," Kua had said.

Yesterday, a statement from Tiger Beer that it had merely arranged for local artists to participate at fundraisers under the Chinese Education Charity Concert (CECC) only raised more questions.

Tiger Beer's statement was echoed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said that its participation in the school programme was not a donation.

"It was not about a donation for the school from the alcoholic beverage company to any school, contrary to existing perception," Zahid said as quoted by the New Straits Times.