PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has denied issuing a circular ordering heads of departments, state education directors and school principals to watch a biopic about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with teachers and students.
“The education ministry has never issued any directives regarding organising film screenings as reported,” said the ministry in a statement.
“Please verify the accuracy of the information and refrain from sharing it if you are uncertain.”
A letter, allegedly from education director-general Pkharuddin Ghazali, said education minister Fadhlina Sidek had asked heads of departments, state education directors and principals to watch the biopic titled “Anwar: The Untold Story” at the nearest cinemas with teachers and students.
Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Yusoff had earlier shared the letter and questioned its authenticity.
The denial by the education ministry comes a few days after a secondary school in Putrajaya confirmed that a screening was held for the film with Fadhlina in attendance.
The screening, which was criticised by social media users, was organised by the ministry.
However, SMK Putrajaya Presint 5 said the students were not forced to attend the screening, and that it was an “extracurricular activity outside the classroom”.
Set between 1993 and 1998, the film depicts Anwar’s time as deputy prime minister and finance minister, his opposition to corruption and his imprisonment.
The film was released in all major cinemas on May 18.
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