Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Rakyat that the ban could be lifted if the daily changed its ways.
“In general, the ministry wants media to instil good values and foster unity, and not otherwise.
“This is to make sure those in the education sector make rational decisions based on current issues while instilling acceptance and respect,” she said in response to Rosol Wahid (BN-Hulu Terengganu) who asked about the ban announced on July 18, 2018.
Rosol earlier said that Utusan Malaysia had undergone several changes in its format and is now more media friendly.
The ban on Utusan Malaysia covers schools, universities, colleges and agencies under the education ministry.
Rosol said the directive to ban Utusan Malaysia came from ministry officers and not from the minister himself, Maszlee Malik.
“Is the position of the officers higher than the minister?” asked Rosol.
Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) then asked if the ministry would allow The Star, owned by MCA, to be distributed in schools.
Teo replied that as of now, only Utusan was banned.