-Dr. S. Ramakrishnan, Former Senator, July 6, 2017.

It is very unfortunate that a canteen stall operator in Politeknik Seberang Perai (PSP) was denied permission to continue operation just because his stall is non syariah complaint. The one and only stall out of 12 catering food to non-Muslim students, including vegetarians, needs to be syariah compliant is quite baffling. The stall operator later speaking to media revealed that he and his wife must convert if his stall permit is to be renewed. Upon sensing that the news is going viral, the stall operator was told to “keep things quiet” if he wants renewal of permission.

It is amazing to see how narrow and closed minded the bureaucrats under UMNO/BN government have become. To enforce a religious edict without fairness, just and equality defeats the very religious purpose. The high handed manner of handling this one simple stall matter shows all is not well in the ruling establishment. Is this incident a precursor to more syariah compliance requirements that are forthcoming? Even in institutions where large numbers of non-Muslims students present face rigid syariah compliance, then what more to say about the predicament of smaller numbers present in other institutions. Their woes will fall in deaf years with all kinds of lame excuses. P.Kamalanathan and MIC are there to give excuses for them.

In IJN too

This is not the only case where the weak minority was quietly denied its rights. Even the only vegetarian stall in the IJN canteen in KL is operated by Muslim operator. The other stalls are all Malay operated. There was only one Indian stall operated in Tapah R & R along the North bound North South highway. But when the owner of the stall passed away, that one stall was given to a Malay operator. All these show that Indians do not feature in the UMNO policies and plans. It is only for vote bank purpose the Indian Blue print was schemed.

Deputy Minister of Education Kamalanathan was enthusiastic in coming forward to act as a public relation officer for the ministry.  He claimed that the canteen operator was terminated from Politeknik Seberang Perai for administrative reasons. But he failed to disclose what the administrative reasons are. As usual he would claim that 6 other canteen operators were also denied permit to continue and not this guy alone. From the incident where students were enclosed in toilet area to have their food during fasting month in 2013 to this canteen operator case, the deputy minister acts as a public relations officer to mitigate any negative publicity fallout of Ministry of Education. UMNO must be very pleased to have this guy as their “public relations” deputy minister. I hope the honorable deputy minister of public relations for ministry of education can spell out what syariah compliance this canteen operator has to observe.

Penang MIC youth has also come forward to support the action of Polyteknik Seberang Perai. But the fact remains that stall was denied permission to operate. It is clear that MIC is intervening to please and score a brownie point with their UMNO masters. With MIC around, Indian community does not need betrayers and enemies. MIC youth supports the requirement for Halal certificate by Polyteknik Seberang Perai to cater food for non-Muslim students is an act of treachery and injustice to their community.