Regarding that Ministry of Higher Education textbook for university students to study the subject of ethnic relations, now known as the book of 'burning bridges' (rather than 'building bridges'), which I blogged on in New Fact on May 13 Revealed!, human rights group Suaram said:
“Some parts of the textbook are just political indoctrination, propaganda, and even statements with elements of defamation.”
Suaram revealed that in a section from the chapter ‘Political development in the context of ethnic relations: Current developments’, the book condemned as 'extremist' a call by Suqui, the Malaysian Chinese Election Appeals Committee, for a non-discriminatory affirmative action policy.
The book read: “Such (extremist) demands should no longer exist, in order to defend the harmony that has so far been experienced and to preserve the relations and cooperation between the various races in Malaysia.”
Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Prof Dr Khoo Kay Kim said that using words like ‘extremist’ went against the very objectives of the subject which was supposed to foster ethnic relationship.
The renown historian said: “Look at the words that are being used. You are hurting the other side. A lot of these people (in Suqui) do not see themselves as extremists. It is legitimate for them to ask for certain things. Whether you agree with them or not is a different matter. But it is sufficient to say that they asked for these things, not call them extremists.”
“The proper way to approach ethnic relations is never to use strong language which would hurt one of the parties concerned. The idea is to win people over, not to disenchant them.”
Khoo also took issue with the text’s selective presentation of Malayan/Malaysian history. He gave an example in the ninth chapter ‘Historical development of political parties’. The text focused solely on the role of ruling party UMNO and the Independence of Malaya Party set up in 1946 and 1951, respectively.
As I said, there is a traditional Malay worldview expressed in that book. The selective representation of our history reminds me of another historian whose mouth, while lecturing my class on Malayan history, was dripping racist venom. He was the most racist academician I had the misfortune to ever encounter. Thank goodness I had the privilege of learning from other Malay lecturers who were true Malaysians.
Unfortunately this book of 'burning bridges' will serve to remind us of the unfortunate divide that we are experiencing, a divide that UMNO and its subordinate allies wants preserved to serve their own interests.
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