RAUB: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has instructed the Education Ministry’s special committee to review the controversial “Interlok” used as a Malay literature textbook for Form 5 students beginning this year, Bernama reported today.
According to Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi, the study must be done in a serious manner so that the issue will not disrupt racial harmony.
“The Education Minister hopes the panel would reach a favourable decision that would satisfy all parties,” Puad told reporters after officiating at the Parent-Teacher Association meeting in SK Gali, here, today.
Several groups including non-governmental organisations have made known their opposition to the government as the contents on pages 211 and 220 allegedly contained sensitive remarks about the Malay and Indian communities.
Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah has also called for the book to be withdrawn because of the controversial contents.
Puad hoped that all concerned parties will not politicise the issue as the government’s intention is to raise the knowledge of the students.
“There shouldn’t be any problems because the textbook by Abdullah Hussain is based on events in the past,” he said.
An Indian NGO, Tamil Foundation, has called for nationwide street demonstrations if the textbook is not pulled out.
Hindu Sangam’s former president, A Vaithilingam, expressed disappointment with the Education Ministry for allowing “Interlok” to be used in schools.
MIC has also called for the withdrawal of the book.
However, a literature group, Seniman Paksi Rakyat Malaysia, has defended the textbook, saying that the public should not view it as a political tool.
According to Deputy Education Minister Dr Puad Zarkashi, the study must be done in a serious manner so that the issue will not disrupt racial harmony.
“The Education Minister hopes the panel would reach a favourable decision that would satisfy all parties,” Puad told reporters after officiating at the Parent-Teacher Association meeting in SK Gali, here, today.
Several groups including non-governmental organisations have made known their opposition to the government as the contents on pages 211 and 220 allegedly contained sensitive remarks about the Malay and Indian communities.
Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department T Murugiah has also called for the book to be withdrawn because of the controversial contents.
Puad hoped that all concerned parties will not politicise the issue as the government’s intention is to raise the knowledge of the students.
“There shouldn’t be any problems because the textbook by Abdullah Hussain is based on events in the past,” he said.
An Indian NGO, Tamil Foundation, has called for nationwide street demonstrations if the textbook is not pulled out.
Hindu Sangam’s former president, A Vaithilingam, expressed disappointment with the Education Ministry for allowing “Interlok” to be used in schools.
MIC has also called for the withdrawal of the book.
However, a literature group, Seniman Paksi Rakyat Malaysia, has defended the textbook, saying that the public should not view it as a political tool.
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