The uncomfortable alliance between Umno and DAP continues to be tested with Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh firing another broadside at Anthony Loke.
In a Facebook post this afternoon, the Umno Youth chief also issued a clarion call for those of his faith and race to unite.
Akmal was seething over a news report which quoted Loke, who is the transport minister, as stating fundraisers can be held in schools but logos of alcoholic beverages cannot be displayed.
“After this, (we) can invite gaming companies to hold programmes in schools?
“Contributions are not enough, now (we) allow breweries to hold programmes in schools as well?” Akmal said.
In a sarcastic swipe, he also conferred the title of “acting education minister” on Loke and congratulated him.
Previously, the Merlimau assemblyperson censured Loke for wanting to raise the issue in the cabinet following a controversy surrounding a fundraiser for Chinese vernacular schools, which involved Tiger Beer, despite an Education Ministry regulation barring schools from receiving funds from companies that produce tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.
The DAP leader said Tiger Beer had been organising fundraising concerts for Chinese schools for 30 years, and it did not become an issue until an opposition leader raised it.
However, Akmal argued that Malaysia had laws and should not be following Loke’s rules instead.
Yesterday, Loke clarified that there is no “grey area” in the cabinet’s decision on guidelines for Chinese school fundraisers.
He said there have been no changes beyond making clear that such events hosted in schools must not include any display and promotion of alcoholic beverages.
On the same note, he pointed out that these events were mostly held outside school premises and attended by parents as well as supporters.
Joining the fray, Selangor PAS information chief Zurk Ahmad claimed that the coalition government is bending over backwards for DAP.
Questioning DAP’s position in the government where it can “go against” the Education Ministry’s guidelines, he claimed that Malay leaders are being “led by the nose”.
“Imagine if Malay leaders continue to remain disunited and are willing to break up the support just to allow DAP to remain in power,” he was quoted as saying by Harakah. – Malaysiakini