Incident involving teacher forced to remove scarf should not recur - Muhyiddin

There should not be a recurrence of an incident involving a Muslim convert who was forced to remove her head-scarf if she wanted to continue teaching at a national-type school in Johor.

Commenting on the matter, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said by right, it should not have occurred.

In fact, all Malaysians must respect each other's cultures, religions and practices, he said.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said the ministry had not issued any directive that the teacher concerned should remove her head-scarf to teach at the school.

He said it should not have taken place, but it was good that the school board of management had made the decision to apologise.

"It should not recur as such things infringe on the rights of others. From the ministry's point of view, the teacher has not contravened any regulation," he said, adding that the board could not abuse its power to order the teacher to remove the head-scarf.

Muhyiddin was speaking to reporters after surveying prices of essential food items for daily need here Saturday.

On Friday, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Nan Ya's management board in Kota Tinggi, Johor tendered an open apology to a Muslim convert teacher of the school who, prior to this, was reported to have been threatened and forced to remove her head-scarf if she wanted to continue teaching at the school.