The Star, Thursday, December 6, 2007
Why touch on mission schools?

I AM heartened to note that the Government will not remove the cross and other Christian images from mission schools “Noh: Crosses won’t be removed” (The Star, Dec 4).

The Deputy Education Minister was spot on when he said that the images were part of the mission schools’ tradition and there was no reason to change it. I am sure some of our Cabinet Ministers, past and present, were themselves the product of these mission schools.

As a Christian, I am saddened by the comments made by the member from Parit Sulong in Parliament when calling for these images to be removed. He even made a preposterous claim that the Vatican controlled missionary schools in Malaysia.

What was his hidden agenda in making such comments in Parliament? Was he trying to remind his political masters that he is still relevant, especially with the general election just around the corner? Anyway, I never heard of this backbencher until now. All the while he must have been a very quiet MP.

By making sweeping statements on mission schools which have existed in our country for years, and some of whose former students are today’s leaders, is indeed an insult to these prestigious schools.

If the member from Parit Sulong had any doubts about how mission schools are administered, he could have paid a visit to any of the schools or perhaps consulted bodies like the Christian Federation of Malaysia which would be able to explain to him that mission schools are not administered by the Vatican.

Those who make a mockery of parliamentary sittings must never be allowed to set foot into the august House again.

MICHAEL NG,
Seremban

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