Pupils made to sing Umno song, wave party flags

PETALING JAYA: A national school in Putrajaya which allegedly made its pupils sing the Umno party song and wave the ruling party’s flag during an event attended by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has defended its act.

The headmaster of SK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1), Mohd Amin Hamzah, was quoted by Malaysiakini as denying that the school had violated any rules by allowing a political party to be celebrated on its premises.

He said the theme for the school competition, reported to be “Umno and independence #Negaraku”, was set by the ministry.

“Actually, it (the political element) wasn’t too obvious. We were merely supporting an activity organised by the ministry. This has nothing to do with politics,” he was quoted as saying after the event today.

On the open display of numerous Umno flags in the school compound, and having school students sing the party song, he said: “This is just temporary.”

Tengku Adnan, who is Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general, declined to comment on the matter when approached by reporters.

He was there to officiate the prize-giving ceremony for the competition.

In his speech at the event earlier, he had reportedly urged teachers to join Umno.

When he had completed his speech, the pupils chanted “Hidup Umno!” (Long live Umno!), Malaysiakini reported.

It said that at one point, a banner with the words “Hidup Umno, Hidup Melayu. Dulu, Kini dan Selamanya” (Long live Umno, long live the Malays. Before, now and forever) had appeared on stage.

The event was reportedly organised by the Putrajaya Education Department, Putrajaya Umno division education bureau and two NGOs.

A video of the incident showed Tengku Adnan being escorted around the school compound as pupils lined the passages around him, singing the Umno song and waving its flag.

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