GEORGE TOWN, Oct. 25 -- The recent controversy over alcohol being served during an alumni gathering at a secondary school in Ipoh has renewed attention on the rules for school halls leased out for private events.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that alcohol must not be served in schools - including after school hours and at events held in school halls - and that there would be no compromise on the matter.

In his remarks in the Dewan Rakyat, he said the educational environment must be safeguarded, even when school halls are rented by external parties.

The comments drew concern from the Chinese community, as halls in Chinese vernacular and independent schools are often rented out for community events such as wed...