Lottery ticket gift for donation angers parent

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A parent is upset at finding a Big Sweep lottery ticket inside an envelope given out to donors who contributed towards a fundraising for a Chinese independent high school here.

It is learnt that students of Jit Sin Independent High School were asked to collect RM10 in donations from the public, and then present donors with an envelope containing a Big Sweep lottery ticket worth RM3.

The students were spotted approaching the public, especially in Jalan Pasar here, where the Hungry Ghost Festival is taking place.

A parent, who only wished to be known as Teh, 45, said if the school wanted to raise funds, there were many ways to do it.

“Gambling should not be encouraged among schoolchildren. It is shameful to get students to collect money and give out Big Sweep lottery tickets as a token of appreciation,” said the IT manager.

Teh said he regretted approaching his colleagues, some of whom are Muslims, to help his son raise funds for the school, as there was no note on the envelope indicating what was inside.

“My son was desperate as the school made it compulsory for him to sell 28 envelopes. So, I sought the support of my colleagues to buy them.

“For the sake of supporting the school, many of them bought the envelopes, but later returned the tickets to me,” he added.

The secretary of the school’s Board of Governors, Datuk Yong Yoon Kooi, when contacted, explained that the practice had been carried out since 1987, especially during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

“We have also raised funds through other means, such as organising food fairs and jogathons.

“The students are only helping to raise funds. The lottery tickets are only a token of appreciation.

“If those who bought the tickets are unhappy, they can seek a refund from the school,” said Yong.

School principal Tan Kee Keat said the school had warned students not to seek donations from Muslims.

“Fundraising also trains students on how to be economically independent after they graduate,” he said.

Penang Education Department director Mohd Jamil Mohamed said it was not illegal for the school to give lottery tickets as a token to donors.

“This is an independent school. If it is a government school, then any element of gambling is prohibited,” he said.

Founded in 1918, the school in Jalan Aston is celebrating its 100th year anniversary of establishment.

Token of appreciation: The envelope with a Big Sweep ticket inside are being given to donors for their aid to Jit Sin Independent High School in Bukit Mertajam.