DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook took to Facebook today, expressing concern over the videos and images which went viral yesterday showing how the programme to support the Palestinian cause in some schools saw students and teachers carrying toy rifles.

“DAP is against any form of violence and opposes any programme that displays elements of armed violence in all schools involving young students.

“The ministry should reconsider the organisation of ‘Palestinian Solidarity Week’ programmes and take a more appropriate approach to send its message to students,” he said.

“Programmes like this only send the wrong message and lessons to our young generation.”

In one of the videos that went viral on social media and evoked a great sense of outrage among netizens, a man in a bulletproof vest and balaclava mask walked into a classroom of primary school students, pointed a toy rifle at them, then led teachers in a march past the students.

One of the teachers was seen holding a placard while others waved the Palestinian flag or wore Palestine-themed scarves across their faces and shoulders. Some also held toy rifles.

Several social media screenshots of an event at a school in Klang, which also went viral, showed children wearing green bandanas with the words “Save Palestine” across their forehead while carrying toy guns.

Loke urged the education ministry to take strict disciplinary action against its staff and any other organisers involved in these activities in order to stop such events from recurring.

“School programmes should encourage a spirit of peace and inculcate values of humanity, in the spirit of the Madani principles.

“Cross-cultural understanding and connections, as well as respect among friends from different backgrounds, should also be encouraged,” he said.

Loke stressed that DAP remains in solidarity with the Palestinians and with the government’s stand to speak out on the world stage for Palestine’s freedom.