Bukit mertajam: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek has called for an apology from those who spread false claims that a Ministry of Education (MOE) programme was conducted at a church. She stated that such misinformation could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings among the public, particularly during the Ramadan period.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the viral claim suggested that the MOE held a programme in a church, which has caused public confusion. The Ministry clarified that the programme was actually conducted at an international school, where an engagement session with stakeholders of private schools and preschools took place. The event was held in the school hall, not in a church as alleged, and the discussions proceeded smoothly. The Ministry emphasized that the allegations are baseless and have no merit.

Fadhlina urged the responsible parties to apologize for the false and malicious claim. She made this statement while speaking to reporters after officiating the MOE's breaking-of-fast event. The Ministry has taken steps to clarify the situation and address the false claims circulating on social media.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education, as reported by BERNAMA, denied the allegations that the engagement session with private kindergarten stakeholders in the northern zone was held at a church. Education director-general Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad expressed his disappointment with the unfounded claims, confirming that the session took place in the Assumption International Secondary School hall in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. The school is registered with the Ministry and was chosen for its amenities and facilities, highlighting the role of international schools within the country's private education ecosystem.