LETTER | The recent letter from the Ministry of Education on the Ponggal issue and the adverse reaction to it, the very public blame game being played publicly between the Ministry and Jakim, and the public sensitivities inflamed, are disconcerting, and alas, a dark comedy to the world at large.

There is little coordination among the ministries, as evident in the current Ponggal controversy: why should Jakim and the Ministry of Education blame each other when there’s a ministry or Department of National Unity to refer to?

It’s under the prime minister, who amusingly, is also in charge of education and Jakim. And what about the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture? Isn’t culture, not religion, the issue?

Can we have some sanity and clarity and some reassurance from the education minister, who is also the prime minister, that this is an aberration and not the norm when the government governs?

TAWFIK ISMAIL is the former Member of Parliament for Sungei Benut, Johor.

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