The Malaysian Insider reported today that a Muslim school principal was forced to defend herself today when word spread that she had allegedly called the Indian community “pariahs” during a school assembly this morning.
SMK Taman Tasik Ampang headmistress Zaini Mohd Zin told The Malaysian Insider that while she admitted to using the word once during her speech, she had merely been quoting from the controversial “Interlok” novel. Click here to read the rest of the report.
I guess some went into overdrive in their reaction because of previous incidents that occurred last year. Since then, they have been suspended and transferred out as mentioned in a report HERE.
It is heartening to read the supportive statements of K. Nadarajah, who is the school’s afternoon supervisor who ame to her immediate defence when asked if she had uttered the derogatory term.
According to the report:
“I am from the Indian community myself and here, I have worked with over seven or eight bosses before.
“I am not trying to back her because she is my boss but I truly believe that I have never worked with a superior more open-minded and moderate than Zaini,” he said.
He added that Zaini even allowed her Hindu students to take special religious classes during school hours and never objected when he invited religious leaders to give speeches.
“Even a Buddhist monk has entered our school to give talks. I am convinced that she had made those statements without any malice.
“Zaini is not a racist. She is even willing to retract what she said and apologise although her words were taken out of context,” he said.
Nadarajah claimed the incident was being blown out of proportion as certain parties were attempting to use it to their benefit in the ongoing row over the “Interlok” novel.
Let's hope that there can be a proper closure to this episode and that all can try to mend bridges. The school is an important place for us to breed a healthy climate of unity and not hostility. How we manage crisis situations will have an impact on younger ones.
So let's hope that all concerned can put this behind them and move on to greater heights of achievements, unity and harmony.
michael Madam,
Well put and well said. We should all stay united as Malaysians and not be caught by the mischievous pranks (or whatever you call it)by some people who are bent on creating havoc in our society.
Remember we are Malaysians first and last.