On Monday 12th July 2010, Citizen Nades of the Sun reported that he had visited his alma mater, Klang High School, after a receiving a complaint that the Education Department had issued instructions that the Kelab Agama Hindu, Kelab Agama Buddhist and the Christian Union have to be dissolved immediately. (One of the notices on the Notice Board gave the breakdown of the enrolment of each class by gender and race!).
The Education Director-General, Tan Sri Alimuddin Dom, was quick to reply, stating that these societies will be re-established as they should not have been told to stop in the first place.
In 2000, a circular sets out clearly the guidelines on forming non-Muslim religious societies. Rule 4 of the Education Rules under the Education Act states that the school head is to form societies according to these categories:
- Subjects taught in school
- Hobby and recreation
- Uniformed bodies
- Any other society approved by the Registrar
Thus the Registrar, who is the State Education Director, has power to approve any other society that does not come under the four categories. The circular specifically states that the status quo is maintained for schools, which already have non-Muslim religious societies.
Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia is in contact with 123 Christian groups. 78 of these are registered and 45 meet outside the school. They are taking active steps to get these 45 groups registered.
Citizen Nades has done religious groups in school a great favour.
We are reminded of the words of Jesus Christ in Revelation 3:7-8 ‘These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open….See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.’
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
