In an open letter to the PM, renowned academic Dr Lim Teck Ghee says the book should be removed from classrooms.
PETALING JAYA: A renowned academic has called for the controversial Interlok novel to be removed from classrooms, saying it could posion young minds.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his cabinet, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Lim Teck Ghee said the book contained “insidious and divisive racial stereotyping and messages.”
“I feel that, purely on educational and pedagogical grounds, this book with its denigration of the various communities, and in the context of our multi-ethnic society facing one of the most turbulent periods of our history, should be subject to higher standards of acceptance before being designated as a reading text in our schools,” he said.
“This is not to challenge the artistic freedom and independence of the writer in pursuing his craft and writing on any subject that he chooses. In our country there is a need for greater candor and honesty on all types of divisive issues, however sensitive there are.
“Writers and artists should be encouraged to write freely and without any restrictions; and all Malaysians should work harder to dismantle the constraints on our freedom of expression and other freedoms,” he added.
However, Lim noted that the conern was about the harmful impact on young and impressionable minds in the context of nation-building and 1Malaysia objectives.
“I urge you (and other concerned Malaysians) to read the book and arrive at your own conclusion as to the desirability of retaining the book as a required literature text. I, and many Malaysians, am of the opinion that the book should be withdrawn as a school text,” he said.
Following a massive outcry, namely from the Indian community, the government had agreed to amend the controversial portions of the book, which is to be used for the literature subject in Form Five.
Certain groups, however, remain disatisfied, arguing that the Malay novel, penned by national laureate Abdullah Hussain, should be withdrawn completely.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his cabinet, Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI) director Lim Teck Ghee said the book contained “insidious and divisive racial stereotyping and messages.”
“I feel that, purely on educational and pedagogical grounds, this book with its denigration of the various communities, and in the context of our multi-ethnic society facing one of the most turbulent periods of our history, should be subject to higher standards of acceptance before being designated as a reading text in our schools,” he said.
“This is not to challenge the artistic freedom and independence of the writer in pursuing his craft and writing on any subject that he chooses. In our country there is a need for greater candor and honesty on all types of divisive issues, however sensitive there are.
“Writers and artists should be encouraged to write freely and without any restrictions; and all Malaysians should work harder to dismantle the constraints on our freedom of expression and other freedoms,” he added.
However, Lim noted that the conern was about the harmful impact on young and impressionable minds in the context of nation-building and 1Malaysia objectives.
“I urge you (and other concerned Malaysians) to read the book and arrive at your own conclusion as to the desirability of retaining the book as a required literature text. I, and many Malaysians, am of the opinion that the book should be withdrawn as a school text,” he said.
Following a massive outcry, namely from the Indian community, the government had agreed to amend the controversial portions of the book, which is to be used for the literature subject in Form Five.
Certain groups, however, remain disatisfied, arguing that the Malay novel, penned by national laureate Abdullah Hussain, should be withdrawn completely.
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