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.