NEGRI CIVIL SERVANT REMINDED TP OBSERVE MOURNING PERIOD

The Star
7/1/2009

SEREMBAN: The state authorities are irked that some civil servants are not observing the 40-day mourning period declared for the late Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Jaafar.
The state government had on Dec 27 directed Muslim males to wear a songkok with a white band and Muslim females to wear black tudung. Others were to wear white armbands.
The Star here has been inundated with calls from parents who expressed unhappiness with teachers and school staff who ignored the ruling.
One parent said it was important that teachers strictly adhere to the 40-day mourning ruling as they should set an example to their charges.
State education department director Datuk Abdullah Muhammad expressed regret when told about the complaints.
“Parents have also called me saying that teachers were not complying with the directive. Before the new session started, I directed all 342 schools in the state to adhere to the ruling,” he said.
Abdullah said he would make spot-checks at schools to ensure every employee adhered to his directive.
Checks at Wisma Negri also showed that most Muslim male employees wore a songkok with a white band.
Cuepacs president Omar Osman said civil servants should lead by example and adhere to the ruling.
“It shows that you are loyal to your ruler.
“The same rule applies in all states. ,” he said.
Tuanku Jaafar, 86, died at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital after complaining of dizziness and chest discomfort.
He was buried at the royal mausoleum at Sri Menanti on Dec 29.