Minister Khaled Nordin said the ministry has not issued any directive to them, such as organising the Palestine Solidarity Week in schools by the education ministry.

Bernama quoted him as saying that each IPT had its own regulations, guidelines and freedom to arrange such events.

They can show sympathy (or solidarity) in their own way, without having to ask the ministry first, Khaled said after inaugurating the Madani health programme with MegaKlinik QMS Kota Tinggi in Kota Tinggi today.

The Palestine Solidarity Week is being implemented in schools, vocational and matriculation colleges, as well as teacher education institutes from Oct 29 to Nov 3 in response to the government’s stand to continue defending the rights of the Palestinian people.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for better control of the programme in schools amid reports and videos of students and teachers carrying toy guns at the events.

“We encourage schools to do this (show solidarity) but we are not forcing them. Secondly, we have to control it so (that) it won’t become a problem,” he said.