Parents raise concern about colouring contest run by SUPP
KUCHING: A recent colouring contest held at SJKC Chung Hua Batu 10 by Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) has raised concerns among parents who are worried if the party might have a political agenda in it.
According to Dr Kelvin Yii, who is a special assistant to state Democratic Action Party ( DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen, they received multiple complaints from parents who attended the event regarding the usage of school facilities and the participation of their children in SUPP-run activity.
The party’s mascot ‘ WeCanBee’ which was heavily used during the state elections was clearly seen and promoted on the banner at the event.
“The children were also asked to colour the mascot,” Yii said, adding that members of the organising committee and party leaders were even seen wearing official SUPP uniform.
“The supposedly ‘colouring contest’ was held at the school on Feb 19, organised by ‘The Bees Club’. Is this a silent attempt by SUPP to enter schools, which are supposedly apolitical, to promote their party agenda?
“Is this club a platform to infiltrate into schools and other educational institutions?” he said at a press conference on the issue here yesterday where state DAP vice- chairman Leon Jimat Donald, Chong’s political secretary Sanjan Daik and Chong’s special assistant Abdul Aziz Isa were also present.
Yii further said it was unethical for the party to abuse its power to use school facilities for their self-interest as these facilities were only meant for the pupils and for educational purposes, not for political ones.
“We encourage the holding of events that cultivate the creativity of our students as well as to bring people of different races together, but schools and students should not be used to propagate the agenda of any political party,” he said.
Yii said it was vital for SUPP to explain to the people about their intentions on the event (drawing contest), and to stop any further attempt to silently infiltrate into schools to promote its political agenda.