Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang) said principals who had allowed him to enter their premises had been warned by the State Education Department not to do so.

Noh said he had evidence and letters to back his claim that school heads had been given such a warning.

He further referred to a circular dated Feb 2, 2008, stating that politicians must obtain permission from the education department before they are permitted to enter school premises.

Noh said the regulations had been around for a long time but that no one had brought up this matter when Barisan Nasional was in power.

“Stealing is not wrong, only when you are arrested it becomes wrong. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is not wrong, only when the police arrest you it becomes wrong.

“The same with this regulation,” Noh Omar gave an analogy in reply to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) saying that unlike today, no opposition lawmaker was allowed into schools during BN’s rule.

Noh said he was aware that some government politicians entered schools without requesting permission from the various state education departments.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik had earlier told the Dewan Rakyat that politicians were allowed into school premises as long as they had requested permission and did not conduct political campaigns there.