The fact that the book “Interlok “ is hurting the sensitivities of a particular community within the nation is already a reason to hear them out and respond with some respect and regard for their feelings. Hey, name calling is not acceptable in any culture or ethnic group. Ok, so they set up this panel (which is claimed to be an “independent panel”) to look at the areas of contention. They have identified 100 areas of contention. One hundred! And you still insist on maintaining the book as school text!! Then within the “independent panel” we hear that all they want to do is remove ONE offensive word. Kudos to the 3 MIC panelists who walked out!
What is it with the Minister of Education? He reveals an obviously closed mind when the press reported a statement he made (Star, 18 March 2011) – “We had previously made the decision to use the book. Thus the question of withdrawing it does not arise.” Why the arrogance? Since when is such a decision sacrosanct? Why can’t it be withdrawn? Afraid of “padan muka?” Show some respect towards the people who are affected by it.
Yes, it’s a novel and open for the public to read, but forcing it into an environment of young minds that can be influenced to shape the same prejudices the book spews, is quite another thing. Why talk of young minds – even heads of schools have shown such disrespect, prejudice and name-calling! What is there to prevent teachers from using the text to humiliate certain students? The decision CAN be revoked. Nothing wrong in removing what hurts the feelings of a community and affects the unity of the nation. In fact, you will be respected for it!
REMOVE Interlok as a school text!!
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This entry was posted on March 19, 2011 at 5:29 am and is filed under Interlok, Malaysia, Political, social comments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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INTERLOK
The fact that the book “Interlok “ is hurting the sensitivities of a particular community within the nation is already a reason to hear them out and respond with some respect and regard for their feelings. Hey, name calling is not acceptable in any culture or ethnic group. Ok, so they set up this panel (which is claimed to be an “independent panel”) to look at the areas of contention. They have identified 100 areas of contention. One hundred! And you still insist on maintaining the book as school text!! Then within the “independent panel” we hear that all they want to do is remove ONE offensive word. Kudos to the 3 MIC panelists who walked out!
What is it with the Minister of Education? He reveals an obviously closed mind when the press reported a statement he made (Star, 18 March 2011) – “We had previously made the decision to use the book. Thus the question of withdrawing it does not arise.” Why the arrogance? Since when is such a decision sacrosanct? Why can’t it be withdrawn? Afraid of “padan muka?” Show some respect towards the people who are affected by it.
Yes, it’s a novel and open for the public to read, but forcing it into an environment of young minds that can be influenced to shape the same prejudices the book spews, is quite another thing. Why talk of young minds – even heads of schools have shown such disrespect, prejudice and name-calling! What is there to prevent teachers from using the text to humiliate certain students? The decision CAN be revoked. Nothing wrong in removing what hurts the feelings of a community and affects the unity of the nation. In fact, you will be respected for it!
REMOVE Interlok as a school text!!
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This entry was posted on March 19, 2011 at 5:29 am and is filed under Interlok, Malaysia, Political, social comments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.