Melaka CM lauds Chinese primary school's move to set up dedicated classroom for Islamic studies

The Star

2 days ago

MELAKA: Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh lauds a move by a Chinese primary school in Bertam Ulu here to introduce a dedicated Islamic studies classroom for its Muslim pupils.
The Melaka Chief Minister described the gesture as a powerful symbol of unity and mutual respect in a multiracial society.
"I am impressed by the initiative of SJK(C) Bertam Ulu to introduce a dedicated classroom for religious studies.
"The commendable move by the school was also supported by the Bertam Ulu Chinese New Village Development and Safety Committee," he told The Star after visiting the school on Tuesday (May 29).
Ab Rauf said the classes are aimed at the more than 100 Muslim pupils enrolled at the school.
"I am emotionally touched by the strong sense of unity demonstrated here.
"Bertam Ulu has been a melting pot of cultures for a very long time and this initiative reflects the true spirit of harmony that we cherish in the state,' he said.
Ab Rauf said that the state government remains committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all communities, regardless of race or religion, are supported equally.
"This is a core value of our administration, we stand united and reject anything that attempts to divide us,' he said.
Ab Rauf noted that the school management had relayed the concerns and aspirations of the teaching staff, particularly regarding the increasing number of Malay pupils, who now make up over 40% of the school's population.
'One of the school's main requests is for a new building, which would include a specially designed classroom for Islamic Education to allow pupils to learn in a more conducive environment.
'The current facilities are already overcrowded due to the growing student population," he said.
Ab Rauf said the request for a new building was approved under the 9th Malaysia Plan (RMK-9), but it has remained pending.
He assured the school's management that the state government would do its utmost to help bring the project to fruition.
'We will provide an official response to the request from SJK(C) Bertam Ulu for a new school building, ' he added.
On a separate note, Ab Rauf said he hopes the concessionaire managing the state's stage bus service would take greater responsibility by enhancing the quality of its drivers' training.
He said the concessionaire of the service, which is commonly known as "Pink Bus", was appointed by the Transport Ministry.
Ab Rauf Yusoh said he made the call following a recent fatal accident involving a stage bus and growing complaints from the public over reckless driving of the stage buses that puts other road users at risk.
'Many locals have attributed these incidents to poor driving conduct, with some drivers displaying negligence.
"There have been cases where carelessness has led to accidents,' he said.
On May 26, the media reported that a subcontractor of a utility company was killed after a car, which was parked on a roadside, was rammed by a stage bus along the Lebuh Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin (AMJ) route at Sungai Petai here
The crash, which occurred at around 4.55pm on May 26, claimed the life of 23-year-old Muhammad Aiman Mohd Farid, who was believed to have been thrown from the vehicle into a drain.
The 22-year-old driver of the car, Muhammad Hakimi Hafiz Baharin, sustained bodily injuries.
Following the incident, the 37-year-old bus driver was remanded for three days starting Tuesday (May 27) to assist in the investigation.