Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) said the vernacular schools were held in high regard due to the consistent results they achieved, “not because of what happens after school hours”.

He was referring to fundraisers and private functions held in the halls of Chinese vernacular schools, when debating the 2026 budget today.

Chow was responding to Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar), who questioned why school halls should host events with alcohol when other venues were available.

Misbahul said such practices gave a bad impression as schools were a place to learn.

Chow reminded Misbahul that more Malay parents were sending their children to Chinese vernacular schools.

He said Misbahul should not make misleading claims that could stoke racial and religious tension.

Last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that alcohol must not be served in schools, including at events held after school hours. He also said the education ministry was reviewing its regulations on the matter.

However, a few days later, Sin Chew reported that the Cabinet had unanimously decided to exempt Chinese vernacular school halls from the ban.

Many of these schools had said that renting out their halls for private functions was one of only a few ways to raise money for their maintenance.

In May, a study by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute also revealed that a growing number of Malay parents were enrolling their children in Chinese vernacular primary schools due to the schools’ strong academic reputation.