Nibong Tebal: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has firmly stated that it has never authorised any private companies or financial consulting firms to offer loan schemes within schools. Minister Fadhlina Sidek clarified that these entities have not been granted permission to provide services to teachers on school grounds.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry is delving deeper into the situation to understand how these firms accessed school premises. While official approval from the MOE was not granted, there is speculation that the firms gained entry through individual permissions. Minister Fadhlina highlighted the importance of school administrators, District Education Offices, and State Education Departments securing prior approval from the MOE for any such engagements.

Minister Fadhlina stressed the need to verify the intentions of these individuals and underscored the responsibility of school-level authorities to scrutinise offers carefully, especially those impacting safety. Her comments followed the launch of the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Ceria Ke Sekolah Programme at the Nibong Tebal Parliamentary Service Centre. She was addressing concerns about reports that financial consulting firms have been recruiting teachers as agents and using schools as venues for financial advisory briefings.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) recently confirmed that ongoing investigations into a loan scheme syndicate by a financial consulting company have led to a crackdown under Op Sky. Further commenting on the issue, Fadhlina mentioned that the MOE has referred the case to authorities and hopes for a swift resolution to protect the interests of teachers and civil servants.

The MOE remains vigilant, continuously reminding teachers and officers to be cautious and avoid involvement in such unauthorized activities.