Maszlee's rebuke over inclusive history lesson disappointing - DAP leader
Published: Mar 1, 2025 5:23 PM
Updated: 8:23 PM
Summary
- DAP Youth national executive council member Jason Tze-Xi Nathan criticises former education minister Maszlee Malik for rebuking Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong’s idea to teach the history of all races in Malaysia in primary school textbooks.
- He says there is nothing political about Khoo’s suggestion and that the MP has the right to speak out as an elected representative for the country’s betterment.
A Malacca DAP leader has criticised former education minister Maszlee Malik after the latter rebuked Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong’s suggestion to teach the history of all races in Malaysia in primary school textbooks.
DAP Youth national executive council member Jason Tze-Xi Nathan said he was disappointed with Maszlee (above) framing Khoo’s proposal as an attempt to racialise education.
DAP Youth national executive council member Jason Tze-Xi Nathan said he was disappointed with Maszlee (above) framing Khoo’s proposal as an attempt to racialise education.
DAP Youth national executive council member Jason Tze-Xi Nathan
“I am disappointed with Maszlee’s statement, which framed Khoo’s proposal to teach the history of all Malaysian races to schoolchildren as an attempt to politicise the curriculum with a racial narrative.
“It’s undeniable that the discussion on education in Malaysia is a complex matter, often intertwined with sensitive issues such as race and religion.
“However, to claim that politicians without a background in pedagogy and education commenting on issues regarding our education curriculum will only make matters worse is simply wrong,” he said in a statement.
‘Poisoning’ the well
Khoo made the suggestion on Feb 24, stating the move would help with national unity from a young age.
“I am disappointed with Maszlee’s statement, which framed Khoo’s proposal to teach the history of all Malaysian races to schoolchildren as an attempt to politicise the curriculum with a racial narrative.
“It’s undeniable that the discussion on education in Malaysia is a complex matter, often intertwined with sensitive issues such as race and religion.
“However, to claim that politicians without a background in pedagogy and education commenting on issues regarding our education curriculum will only make matters worse is simply wrong,” he said in a statement.
‘Poisoning’ the well
Khoo made the suggestion on Feb 24, stating the move would help with national unity from a young age.
Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong
“For example, last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the relationship between Malaysia and China.
“The relationship started when Admiral Cheng Ho came to Malacca.
“But when I checked the primary school history textbook, it did not touch on this,” he was reported as saying.
However, Maszlee retorted that the drafting of the school curriculum involves not only subject matter experts but also experts in education, pedagogy, unity, sociology, and more.
Having politicians with no background in education or pedagogy intervene in the curriculum, he added, would only “poison” the situation.
‘Khoo doing duty as MP’
Meanwhile, Jason reminded Maszlee that as an MP, Khoo has the right to speak out for the betterment of the country on all topics, not just those within their field of expertise.
The DAP leader also welcomed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s measured response to Khoo’s views, saying it showed everyone how parliamentary democracy should work.
“The relationship started when Admiral Cheng Ho came to Malacca.
“But when I checked the primary school history textbook, it did not touch on this,” he was reported as saying.
However, Maszlee retorted that the drafting of the school curriculum involves not only subject matter experts but also experts in education, pedagogy, unity, sociology, and more.
Having politicians with no background in education or pedagogy intervene in the curriculum, he added, would only “poison” the situation.
‘Khoo doing duty as MP’
Meanwhile, Jason reminded Maszlee that as an MP, Khoo has the right to speak out for the betterment of the country on all topics, not just those within their field of expertise.
The DAP leader also welcomed Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s measured response to Khoo’s views, saying it showed everyone how parliamentary democracy should work.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek
“Perhaps, Maszlee spoke out of concern based on his first-hand experience during his tenure as education minister.
“In any case, as a Malaccan, I don’t want my elected representative to simply send suggestions to the minister via WhatsApp.
“I want him to raise issues in Parliament so that we can hold the relevant ministers accountable through their responses,” Jason added.
“In any case, as a Malaccan, I don’t want my elected representative to simply send suggestions to the minister via WhatsApp.
“I want him to raise issues in Parliament so that we can hold the relevant ministers accountable through their responses,” Jason added.
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