COMMENT: Infrastructure Development and Communications Minister Michael Manyin, who recently announced SK St. Teresa in Serian would be moved out from its present site and its name changed to SK Sri Sadong, is at the receiving end of his own Bidayuh community who are very unhappy with him.
When he made the announcement, he had hoped that it would be greeted with applause and cheers.
He had also hoped to score a political mileage among the Bidayuh community since the state election is around the corner.
He was dead wrong. Instead the Bidayuhs, who are mostly Christians of Catholic denomination, reacted angrily.
Some even condemned him.
Leading the attack on Manyin is Edward Andrew Luak who is an alumnus of the school.
“We are dismayed upon learning the announcement to rename SK St. Teresa’s Primary School, Serian by the minister,” said Edward.
The minister had no regards for the history and legacy of the school, he said, adding: “While Serian achieves a new milestone on its upgrading, (into a division), it would be a black mark in its history if the historical name of St Teresa’s Primary School is changed without seeking the approval of the local population.
“There is a rallying call from many ex-students to appeal to the state government and the Ministry of Education to put the plan on hold,” he said.
He said that if the government was sincere, it should build a new school at the new location, and then it can name it SK Sri Sadong.
“The most important thing is for SK St. Teresa’s Primary School to retain its name and location.
It has produced many Bidayuh, Chinese, Iban and Malay leaders since it was established 83 years ago.
Edward, who is the Serian DAP branch chairman, said that he would appeal to the Chief Minister Adenan Satem to put a stop to this change of name and relocation of the school.
He said the Christians in Serian would soon launch a campaign and collect at least 10,000 signatures.
They are also considering holding a demonstration.
When the issue was published in social media and Facebook, it went viral.
The following are selected comments from FB users:
Boniface Edwin: As I understand it the school building and the land belong to the church. Meaning they are church properties under the control of the Archbishop. This means the school cannot be relocated elsewhere without the consent of the church authority. The only thing that can be relocated will be the teachers and students. After all, the teachers are the government employees and are subjected to government directives.
El Pete: Leave the school alone. I don’t see DAP naming Penang Free School to SK Seberang Prai. Politicians like Manyin make me sick.
Peter Chee: Someone is eyeing the land.
Peter Koh: It is not a good idea to rename the school when so many memories in history have been written. It does not serve any purpose.
John Ogawa: Is there anyone doing anything about this? Something needs to be done. The school is a national heritage.
Roger Tay: Stupid! Is Putrajaya trying to change every history in Sarawak? What’s wrong about retaining the name? In no time all the mission schools will be wiped out by them.
Sandi: A new word for our expanding vocabulary … ‘manyin’. St. Teresa School has been ‘manyined’ and take a new identity. Soon all Christian schools in Sarawak shall be ‘manyined’.
William Ting: This is all part of the government’s plan to remove Christian involvement in education. First, they claim Hang Tuah is a Malay. Then they found out that he is actually a Chinese. Now they said Hang Tuah never existed. See what I mean.
Daniel Patrick: Why change the school? Put it under Manyin’s name is better.
Chegu Peterson Ribai: If agama schools are fully funded by MOE, why can’t mission schools? Mission schools are on the brink of extinction from history of Malaysian education. Sad but it will happen, if nothing is done now?
Mary Amoi: Change the name of St. Teresa, Serian. NEVER! A politician gone senile.
Charles Joseph: Fight it. Don’t allow it … it’s the people’s.
Francis Ngu: No one can give us any name other than the name we want for ourselves, whether it is our personal name, house name, pet’s name. In this case the name of the place of our worship.
Stephen Engkabi: Don’t surrender the school to the government. Maintain it as a mission school. I don’t believe that RC church in Serian is so poor that it cannot maintain the school as a mission school. Surrendering it is easy but taking it back is impossible.
Raymond Sului: This is insane to do. Why change a legendary name? Absolutely absurd.
Jenny Maria Subeh: This is outrageous and absolutely insane. Please Minister you can’t do that and do what you like. Remember who put you in your current position. Without the people, you are nothing. So please listen to the voice of the people who are responsible for your bread and butter. Oh not “bread and butter” but your periok nasi. You have not gone made, are you?
James Dublin: Chase them away. Vote BN out.
Rose Bong: it’s a shame and disgrace to simply change the original name as it is long legacy where I think even some of the VIPs come from this school.
Judging by these angry comments, Manyin’s popularity in Tebedu where he is going for his fourth term is certain to be affected.
Likely to be affected are also the PBB candidates in Kedup and Simuja, the newly created constituency.
So far Manyin has remained silent over the issue.
What’s up Manyin? Speak up, will you?
-The Ant Daily
Post a Comment