By S.Ramakrishnan,
On March 29, I received a phone call from a teacher who heard his headmaster announcing at the school morning assembly that the Interlok book has been accepted by MIC as well as all members of the independent penal set up to review the novel.
The ministry will be making the 19 corrections recommended by the panel and the book will be used as a literature textbook for Form Five students. In view of the ministry decision, no student or teacher is allowed to criticise the decision. Students' bags will be checked to ensure that they do not carry any fliers against the use of Interlok.
The teacher added that all headmasters were briefed by the state director of Education Department to make sure that all students accept the usage of Interlok without any problem. Headmasters are required to send reports on the actions taken to ensure that students do not carry any anti-Interlok fliers to school.
This decision by the education minister shows clearly the MIC leader's double act as champions of Indian community but at the same time supporting Umno's and Gapena's proposal to continue using Interlok as textbook. The Education Ministry is going ahead because apparently both the MIC and the penal members had accepted the book.
The fact that three Indian representatives walked out of the penal was disregarded. The parliamentary debate on Interlok clearly showed the resentment and bitterness of Indian parliamentarians over the use of this book. Despite all the noise and expressed wishes of Indian NGOs against the use of Interlok, the Education Ministry still gave the go ahead to use the book.
Does that mean the whole panel formation to review the book was a show to give legitimacy to whatever decision taken by the Education Ministry? It's amazing how Umno has decided to shove the book down the students' throat.
MIC and other Indian-based BN parties have been pandering for over 50 years and therefore have become weak and spineless to stand up against Umno. They have mortgaged the dignity and pride of Malaysian Indians for the selfish benefit of its leaders. MIC has squandered all moral authority to lead Indian Malaysians.
Indian Malaysians and other minority communities will not accept the Interlok as a school textbook simply because it has no positive educational value. This book does not foster racial unity nor enrich students' mind.
A novel with many amendments on content, grammar and factual errors should be replaced. It seem to be an organised effort by Umno racial spinners to systematically institutionalise the immigrant status of non-Malays. This approach of BN government is in congruent with the Ketuanan Melayu concept upheld by Umno and its racist NGOs.
While upholding such racist sentiments, BN and Umno can gloat all over town the concept of 1Nalaysia. This shows the incredibly hypocrisy of BN/Umno to built a one Malaysia.
The writer is a DAP senator.
On March 29, I received a phone call from a teacher who heard his headmaster announcing at the school morning assembly that the Interlok book has been accepted by MIC as well as all members of the independent penal set up to review the novel.
The ministry will be making the 19 corrections recommended by the panel and the book will be used as a literature textbook for Form Five students. In view of the ministry decision, no student or teacher is allowed to criticise the decision. Students' bags will be checked to ensure that they do not carry any fliers against the use of Interlok.
The teacher added that all headmasters were briefed by the state director of Education Department to make sure that all students accept the usage of Interlok without any problem. Headmasters are required to send reports on the actions taken to ensure that students do not carry any anti-Interlok fliers to school.
This decision by the education minister shows clearly the MIC leader's double act as champions of Indian community but at the same time supporting Umno's and Gapena's proposal to continue using Interlok as textbook. The Education Ministry is going ahead because apparently both the MIC and the penal members had accepted the book.
The fact that three Indian representatives walked out of the penal was disregarded. The parliamentary debate on Interlok clearly showed the resentment and bitterness of Indian parliamentarians over the use of this book. Despite all the noise and expressed wishes of Indian NGOs against the use of Interlok, the Education Ministry still gave the go ahead to use the book.
Does that mean the whole panel formation to review the book was a show to give legitimacy to whatever decision taken by the Education Ministry? It's amazing how Umno has decided to shove the book down the students' throat.
MIC and other Indian-based BN parties have been pandering for over 50 years and therefore have become weak and spineless to stand up against Umno. They have mortgaged the dignity and pride of Malaysian Indians for the selfish benefit of its leaders. MIC has squandered all moral authority to lead Indian Malaysians.
Indian Malaysians and other minority communities will not accept the Interlok as a school textbook simply because it has no positive educational value. This book does not foster racial unity nor enrich students' mind.
A novel with many amendments on content, grammar and factual errors should be replaced. It seem to be an organised effort by Umno racial spinners to systematically institutionalise the immigrant status of non-Malays. This approach of BN government is in congruent with the Ketuanan Melayu concept upheld by Umno and its racist NGOs.
While upholding such racist sentiments, BN and Umno can gloat all over town the concept of 1Nalaysia. This shows the incredibly hypocrisy of BN/Umno to built a one Malaysia.
The writer is a DAP senator.
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