DAP wants review of History subject

Pua expressed concern that the government would take a revisionist approach to History for the secondary school syllabus. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — The DAP demanded today that the Najib administration review completely the SPM History syllabus before making it a “must-pass” subject beginning 2013.

Tony Pua, the DAP national publicity secretary, claimed that the government’s sudden interest was likely to be selective — emphasising Malay rights provisions and conveniently neglecting others.

“Given the announcement of the measure at a Umno national convention, the focus will naturally be on Article 153 and other related articles with regards to Malay rights.

“Will there be an equal emphasis on say, Article 8 which states that “all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law”? asked Pua.

Pua said that the onus was on Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form an independent advisory and review body to conduct a complete “overhaul” of the subject before it is made compulsory.

“We fear that this new measure is a blatant attempt to indoctrinate our students with a narrow and biased interpretation of our Federal Constitution and our country’s founding history.

“We call upon the DPM Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to first convene a independent advisory and review body comprising of representatives from the Bar Council, eminent retired judges as well as renowned academics on the history of Malaya,” Pua told reporters today.

The SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) is the national examination for all fifth formers across their country before completing their secondary education. The examination results will decide their passage to tertiary education opportunities locally and abroad.