Parents question decision to re-introduce sports, extra-curricular activities next month

Parents are unhappy that a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) for sports and co-curricular activities in schools will only be released on the day it begins.

They are supposed to give written consent to the school to allow their children to take part in the activities.

Father of three Irwan Abdul Rahman was even more direct, saying there is no way he would allow his children to take part in such activities.

“We don’t know enough about this virus to take unnecessary risks. Just this week we’re hearing about a new strain that’s 10 times more spreadable and deadly.

“Countries that have declared victories before are back to imposing lockdowns due to new case resurgence,” said Irwan from Shah Alam.

“I don’t see any urgency to start these activities. There is no pressing need. Why can’t we wait until a vaccine is available? The world is at war. Life cannot be normal until the war is really over.

“Some things we can ‘wing it’, play it by ear – not kids’ lives,” he added.

S.Rizal from Taman Tun Dr Ismail, a father of two, is perplexed that the detailed SOP would only be released on Sept 1.

“How are we supposed to give consent when we don’t know what the full SOP would be like?” he asked.

“The SOP announced today includes a capacity limit for showers and changing rooms and physical distancing of one to three metres for static activities and three to five metres for dynamic activities.

“What does that even mean and will students be penalised if they don’t participate in extra-curricular activities?

“Weren’t we promised only 17 children per classroom when school reopened? But now, most schools have 30-40 kids in each classroom.

“What guarantees are there that the SOP will be adhered to?”

Lily Haslinda Rusli from Kajang is undecided what to do next as her son loves sports but with no vaccine in sight, she feels it is not the right time to resume such activities.

“The number of cases is not going down so I am quite worried,” she said.

“If the numbers were under control, I might consider allowing him to take part in the activities.

“Of course, once a vaccine is found, I won’t stop him.”

She asked: “Why rush to do this? It doesn’t make sense. I understand opening up businesses as we need to get the economy going but why endanger children’s lives?”

Here’s a round-up of The News Normal today.

NSI MAY HAVE BOUTIQUE CLINIC IN ISKANDAR

The National Sports Institute (NSI) has been invited to play a part in making Iskandar Malaysia a sports hub.

Several ranking officials from the Youth and Sports Ministry and NSI chief executive officer Ahmad Faedzal Md Ramli visited the development in Johor over the weekend.

The trip is seen as an initial step of the institute’s involvement before the stakeholders formalise the relationship by year-end.

LIGHT UP FOR MERDEKA

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is offering a special incentive to encourage commercial customers to light up their buildings and surrounding areas with decorative lighting for the 63rd Hari Merdeka.

The incentive is offered to commercial customers under the B, C1 and C2 tariffs who have been operating for at least a year (before Aug 1, 2019).

Eligible customers can apply at the nearest Kedai Tenaga or via mytnb.com.my. Closing date for applications is Sept 15. For enquiries, contact TNB CareLine at 1-300-88-5454 or email tnbcareline@tnb.com.my.

MALAYSIANS STILL DON’T KNOW HOW TO FLY JALUR GEMILANG PROPERLY

It’s amazing that in this day and age, some people still don’t know how to correctly fly the national flag.

A restaurant owner in Kluang, Johor, was detained for flying the Malaysian flag upside down at her premises. Surprisingly, her restaurant has not been operational since January and it is only now that someone has taken notice of the upside-down flag.

Last week, four people were arrested after a Jalur Gemilang was flown upside down at premises in Tebrau.

MALAYSIAN MOVIE GERAN WINS AWARD AT ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has congratulated local director Areel Abu Bakar and the crew involved in Geran after it received the Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema at the 2020 New York Asian Film Festival.

The film, which highlights ‘Gayong Pusaka’ martial arts, stars Namron, Khoharullah Majid, Feina Tajuddin, Fad Anuar, Azlan Komeng and Megat Shahrizal. It was directed by Areel Abu Bakar and written by Hafiz Derani.

PM LAUNCHES FIRST DIGITAL SUKUK

The Sukuk Prihatin programme, the first digital sukuk in Malaysia, was launched today as part of the government’s National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana).

The Finance Ministry said the sukuk, which is based on the principle of Tawarruq via the Commodity Murabahah arrangement, has a total target issuance of RM500 million with a maturity period of two years.

It offers a profit rate of two per cent per annum, which will be paid on a quarterly basis and will be exempted from tax.

The sukuk programme was launched by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a ceremony witnessed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.