Despite parents’ protests, Muslim religious teacher to remain as principal of Christian-majority school in Malaysia

KUCHING — Religious teacher Roslin Che Mood will remain as principal of Christian Dayak-dominated SMK Sungai Paoh for now despite initial protests by parents, Sarawak education director Rakayah Madon said today (Nov 30).

“But I believe that he will not be there forever. It could be for a short period,” she told reporters.

“He will stay put for a while as what Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had told me. He had told me to let Roslin be there first,” she said after attending the opening of SK Matu Baru at Kampung Bintawa Hilir here by Federal Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar here.

“The chief minister had also told me that Roslin should not be disturbed in discharging his duties and responsibilities as principal of the school,” she said, adding the chief minister had summoned her after parents and Dayak groups had protested against the appointment.

She also received reports that there was no longer any complaints from the parents against the appointment after Mr Adenan had assured them he would intervene in the appointment if doing so would benefit the students.

Mr Adenan, responding to outrage expressed by Dayak parents of the students as well as Dayak-based groups, had pledged to intervene, but stressed that he would first find out more details about the appointment and Mr Roslin’s background.

Parents and Dayak groups have expressed fears that Mr Roslin, being a religious teacher and from Kelantan, would influence the Christian students to convert to Islam as in many cases reported in Sarawak over the past years. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE