(Malaysiakini) Indian Malaysian leaders are not intimidated by the threats of the Malay rights umbrella group Malay Consultative Council (MPM) to deny them support in the next general election.
Leaders of MPM and National Writers' Association (Pena) had accused representatives of the Indian community in the government and the opposition of distorting and pressuring the authorities in the Interlok novel controversy.
“This debate is not healthy for our country and it jeopardises our unity. Therefore I don't want to prolong the issue any longer,” said Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister M Saravanan (right).
He told Malaysiakini that the groups should not take offence on a “personal” note because the government was doing what it could to rectify the problem.
“It is very prejudicial to take such a step, especially when we are heading towards '1Malaysia',” said the Tapah MP, citing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's concept of unity.
Saravanan reiterated that the objection towards the book was because it did not portray the local Indian community in a “healthy manner”.
Indian Malaysians had protested against the use of the novel, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussein, as a component of Malay literature in Form Five, arguing that the book contained inaccurate and disparaging remarks about the community.
Gov't has taken path of moderation
On Sunday, MPM and Pena had submitted a memorandum to Najib stating that the pressure from the community leaders on the government caused it to be swayed by all manners of threats and influence.
MPM said the boycott against Indian representatives was not an incitement to racial hatred but an expression of disappointment with the weakness of the government in cowing to blackmail.
Hulu Selangor parliamentarian P Kamalanathan (left), similarly, opined that the government knew best and it had taken the “path of moderation” in considering all views pertaining to the usage of the book in schools.
“While giving the opportunity for all to put forth their arguments and respecting all views, it is imperative that the leadership makes a decision that is firm, fair and addresses the fundamental role of the government to uphold peace and unity of the nation at all times,” he said.
Kamalanathan, in his blog post, added that no decision could be favourable to any one party, but “we must respect and believe in the wisdom of our leaders chosen in a democratic process”.
“As parliamentarians, we have taken the oath of office to serve the people in our constituencies and the rakyat in general, without any bias on their religious, political or social stand in life,” he said.
Leaders of MPM and National Writers' Association (Pena) had accused representatives of the Indian community in the government and the opposition of distorting and pressuring the authorities in the Interlok novel controversy.
“This debate is not healthy for our country and it jeopardises our unity. Therefore I don't want to prolong the issue any longer,” said Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister M Saravanan (right). He told Malaysiakini that the groups should not take offence on a “personal” note because the government was doing what it could to rectify the problem.
“It is very prejudicial to take such a step, especially when we are heading towards '1Malaysia',” said the Tapah MP, citing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's concept of unity.
Saravanan reiterated that the objection towards the book was because it did not portray the local Indian community in a “healthy manner”.
Indian Malaysians had protested against the use of the novel, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussein, as a component of Malay literature in Form Five, arguing that the book contained inaccurate and disparaging remarks about the community.
Gov't has taken path of moderation
On Sunday, MPM and Pena had submitted a memorandum to Najib stating that the pressure from the community leaders on the government caused it to be swayed by all manners of threats and influence.
MPM said the boycott against Indian representatives was not an incitement to racial hatred but an expression of disappointment with the weakness of the government in cowing to blackmail.Hulu Selangor parliamentarian P Kamalanathan (left), similarly, opined that the government knew best and it had taken the “path of moderation” in considering all views pertaining to the usage of the book in schools.
“While giving the opportunity for all to put forth their arguments and respecting all views, it is imperative that the leadership makes a decision that is firm, fair and addresses the fundamental role of the government to uphold peace and unity of the nation at all times,” he said.
Kamalanathan, in his blog post, added that no decision could be favourable to any one party, but “we must respect and believe in the wisdom of our leaders chosen in a democratic process”.
“As parliamentarians, we have taken the oath of office to serve the people in our constituencies and the rakyat in general, without any bias on their religious, political or social stand in life,” he said.
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