Mariam Mokhtar : Why blame Fadhlina Sidek?

Why blame Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek for her folly and her emotional outburst? She is as much a victim of the political machinations of one man, just as we are a victim of his policies.

More’s the pity because Fadhlina probably does not realise that she is being used and manipulated to further Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political agenda.

If anyone is to be blamed for this “Palestine Solidary Week” debacle, then it is Anwar who should be made accountable. Something as divisive and complex as this “event”, would have required his endorsement, and not without good reason, for here’s the crux of the matter.

Whilst we were busy trading barbs with one another about our schools being dragged into the Palestinian-Hamas-Israeli conflict, critical domestic issues were being sidelined and not addressed.

When governments want to bury bad news, they will seize an opportune moment, which in this case is the Oct 7 Hamas raid, which the Madani government used to divert attention away from domestic matters: the cost of living crisis, rising food prices, insufficient funds to pay for hospital medicines, the ventilator and Covid-19 vaccine scandal, the migrant labour crisis, rising unemployment, the ringgit in free-fall, farmers’ eviction.

It has not gone unnoticed that Anwar uses the ministerial plane for his overseas jaunts like we use the Grab e-hailing service. How many millions of ringgits did the taxpayer fork out during his ten-month tenure?

The Madani administration’s thrust to resolve domestic issues has had little impact and the Palestinian-Israeli distraction will undoubtedly have bought him more time.

Anwar’s agenda Returning to the hapless education minister, Anwar threw Fadhlina in at the deep end when he made her minister, knowing full well she was inexperienced and lacked the appropriate qualifications to lead this heavyweight ministry.

He is a political animal, knows the system inside out and will play it to the hilt. He surrounds himself with “Yes” men and women. Few if any dare to challenge him.

He is intent on completing the full Islamisation circle which he started in 1982, which was delayed by his sacking, two jail terms, and a stubborn Dr Mahathir Mohamad who refused to yield.

Poor Fadhlina had no choice but to accede to Anwar’s wishes. If Anwar wanted the Palestinian Solidarity Week, then he would have it. The cabinet probably had minimal input too. Remember that Anwar only listens to one person. Himself!

Fadhlina probably feels indebted that she, a lawyer and former activist, and more importantly, alleged to be the daughter of one of Anwar’s closest allies from his days in the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim), was presented with a prize catch, the education portfolio. Her aim will be to please her boss.

Is Fadhlina aware that she is being used to promote Anwar’s Islamic credentials, not just locally but also overseas? Perhaps not. She is kept busy trying to ward off the criticisms of her handling of her ministry.

Anwar is trying to outdo PAS’s Islamic agenda. With his Muslim Brotherhood ties, he is now moulding himself to be the champion of Hamas and the Palestinians. Haven’t we had enough on our plate?

Fadhlina was wrong to have agreed to the ill-thought-out Palestine Solidarity Week for our schools.

Biased narrative of complex issue When both parents and politicians from both sides of the divide blasted the Education Ministry’s directive, ministerial aides drew up a plan of “Do’s and don’ts” for the week-long event.

However, the schools and ministry failed to follow their own guidelines.

The directive said no symbols or icons. What then, are flags, masks and the Palestinian chequered keffiyeh?

The guide suggested “open dialogues” and “not to blame individuals or religions”, but all we’ve heard is “The Israelis are guilty”.

The guide stressed to steer clear of “partisan politics” but from the word “go”, the ministry was already taking the side of the Palestinians/Hamas.

The minister is daft to have fallen into Anwar’s trap. She is equally daft to have threatened the MPs to not mess with the Education Ministry.

Of course, she is pathetic to have dragged young children into a conflict happening more than 7,000km away. The use of toy guns and spreading hatred is not how you teach children about peace/humanity.

Perhaps she does not know it but the MPs whom she told off to stop messing with her or her ministry are the politicians we elected to represent our voice in Parliament.

Watching her speak in Parliament, her demeanour and body language suggest a person who is on the defensive. She should throw in the towel and stick to what she knows best, which is Syariah family law and help the thousands of women who have been failed by the Syariah system.

History has never been given a fair hearing in Malaysian schools. Will Fadhlina ensure schools explain the Balfour Declaration, the UN Partition Plan, the Oslo Accord, the two wars, the two Intifadas, the PLO, Fatah, and how Hamas was formed from the Muslim Brotherhood?

Even adults find the Palestine-Israel conflict confusing and very complex. Why radicalise young children?

Will Fadhlina explain why Hamas leaders live in luxury in Doha and not the Gaza Strip?

Does she or her aides know the difference between the Israelis, Jews, and Zionists?

Forced to singlehandedly face the wrath of the public, Fadhlina should just apologise and cancel the Palestine Solidarity Week. Her political career has already been compromised.

MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO).