Atiqah Syairah Shaharuddin, the minister’s political secretary, said such criticism was unwarranted and called for a stop to “unproductive polemics”.

“Having been an MP for nearly four decades, and having gathered vast experience at the state and federal levels, I am sure he is good at managing crises as a statesman without playing on issues that contribute to racial and religious tensions,” she said in a statement.

Earlier yesterday, Lim took Fadhlina to task, saying she should be a minister under the unity government and should not listen to PAS over the issue.

However, Atiqah pointed out that the Cabinet and education ministry have stated their position on the matter, while the organiser of the fundraising event and the sponsor have also provided their explanations.

“Even PAS leaders have halted their objections on this matter as they realise the same guidelines were imposed during their 33 months in government. Pointing fingers only exposes their own faults.

“If Fadhlina is said to follow PAS’ lead, whose lead is Lim following?”

The controversy began when PAS took issue with an event where a deputy minister was seen posing together with a mock check for RM3 million from a brewery at a Chinese school’s fundraising event in Selangor.

The education ministry later said schools cannot accept donations derived from proceeds from gambling, sale of tobacco, drugs and alcohol.

Fadhlina was then reported to have said that the ministry would not make any exceptions for any government-aided schools to receive  donations from the sources as stated.