Indian NGOs not convinced over Interlok withdrawal

Representatives of the Federation of Indian NGOs are “not convinced” the dispute over the problematic Form 5 literature textbook Interlok is over, just yet.

The novel, which was introduced into the syllabus early this year, was withdrawn last week after almost a year of discontent from various quarters, particularly the Indian community.

The group’s president, Victor Suppiah, said today that it was not certain that this was the case - until Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin “makes the announcement and provides a detailed reasoning as to why it was withdrawn” a year after it was introduced into the education system.

Suppiah said that he was “not convinced” the novel had been withdrawn and replaced with Konserto Terakhir as announced by Education Ministry director-general Abd Ghafar Mahmud.

“The announcement on the withdrawal was made by MIC leaders Dr S Subramaniam (deputy president) and then G Palanivel (president).

“Right after that Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi accused them of jumping the gun in making the information public when it is for Muhyiddin to make the official announcement, but several days later, Abd Ghafar said that it is withdrawn,” said Suppiah, who added that he was puzzled by all this.

“We want the deputy prime minister (Muhyiddin) to tell us for sure that the book has been withdrawn,” he said.

Suppiah reiterated that this new “decision” could e reversed at will, unless it came from a source of authority.

‘Konserto Terakhir’ to replace ‘Interlok’

Abd Ghafar said Konserto Terakhir by national laureate Abdullah Hussain will replace Interlok which was in use for student in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

Interlok, which is also by Abdullah, chronicles the lives of three persons - a Malay, a Chinese and an Indian.

It is deemed controversial because of certain phrases and words are considered racially insensitive by the Indian community, and following a public outcry some amendments were made.

Civil society groups representing the Chinese and Indian communities had launched a firestorm of protests against the government for endorsing the novel, which they said disparaged the minority communities and urged that it be withdrawn.

The withdrawal, which comes after a year, was criticised by Malay rights pressure group Perkasa, which accused BN for insulting the dignity of the Malays just so it could win points with the Indian community, especially with the general election looming.