Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian feels MRSM may edit the 'offending' part of its rule book from the website after he brought it to public attention. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 12, 2015.Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian has requested Mara junior science colleges (MRSM) to explain if the "additional rules" for non-Muslim students existed in the institution.
He said he wrote a letter addressed to Abdul Wahid Ahmad, the director of secondary education at Mara's head office in Kuala Lumpur, stating that if it does, such rules are against the non-Muslim students' religious rights under the Federal Constitution.
The Ba Kelalan assemblyman, in a media statement today, said it is important to find out the truth on the matter.
"I have downloaded the rules from a link that I was given and I wrote to Mara requesting them to confirm it.
"Perhaps after my query, these rules will conveniently disappear from their website." he said.
Baru had earlier said he plans to take legal action against Mara if the rules are not withdrawn as promised by the Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal last Sunday.
Shafie had also responded to the MRSM issue by saying it was a “political ploy” of the opposition.
Baru said Rule 9, in the MRSM guide book for new students stated that all religious activities, with the exception of Islamic religious activities, are totally prohibited within the college campus.
This raised anger among some Dayak parents, particularly at MRSM Betong, who brought the matter to the attention of DAP vice-chairman Leon Jimat Donald.
One of the parents, former serviceman Gima Duin claimed he rejected the acceptance offer for his daughter to study in MRSM Kota Samarahan last year after reading the regulations.
Shafie on Tuesday had denied it, saying that Mara “had never imposed any additional rules” that prevented students from practising their own religion in MRSM.
He made the comment after an event organised by his ministry to commemorate the contributions of 14 officers and staff who retired last year.
Leon, meanwhile, said the minister, in his denial, could have been pressured not to withdraw the rules.
Shafie on Sunday, had hastily called a press conference in Kuching after his meeting on the issue with Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem the night before.
Shafie had then said that if there are such regulations, then “it is not right”.
Gima said after rejecting the MRSM Kota Samarahan offer last year, he sent his daughter to complete her final two years in Kolej Science Kuching instead.
It was Gima's posting of the regulation on his Facebook page that reignited debate of religious curbs and alleged attempts to convert students in MRSM Betong that started in October last year.
The Dayak non-Muslim bumiputeras made up the majority of students in the college in this rural town – home of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu - some 150km from Kuching.
If given another chance, Gima said he would still not send his daughter to MRSM.
The businessman said he does not see any sincerity in Shafie's promise to withdraw the regulations.
“That's what politicians are. They are not sincere.
“He talks about there are no curbs and religious freedom. But why have the regulations in the first place? Why do they have to do such things?”
Gima said the fact that it was worded as “pertaruhan tambahan untuk pelajar bukan Islam” clearly showed Mara was aware of the “loophole” in its regulation concerning the presence of non-Muslim bumiputeras in its colleges in Sarawak and Sabah.
“I'm not going to be taken for a ride. I hope other Dayak parents are too." he said. – February 12, 2015.
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