The Malaysian Youth Council (MYC) held a roundtable today to discuss the controversy over the novel ‘Interlok' and concluded that the book does not contain elements offensive to other races.

The roundtable also concluded that the book was an honest work filled with lessons which encouraged critical thinking among the readers.

NONEThe resolution, reached at the round table and read out by MYC president Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee, also called for a serious attention to the teaching and learning process involving the book to dispel any confusion.

"There may be a need to list down a glossary or reference on the usage of words or phrases which the younger generation might not fully understand so that they can be explained in full," he said.

The roundtable in Kuala Lumpur was participated by novelist Dr Fatimah Busu, Dean of Language, Literacy and Translation Centre of Universiti Sains Malaysia Prof Dr Ambigapathy Pandian and National Writers' Association president (Pena) Mohamad Saleeh Rahamad.

Mohamed Maliki, who chaired the roundtable, said they also proposed that the issue be discussed from the academic point of view without resorting to sensationalising the matter as this could create prejudice against other races.

"The MYC is confident that this is a more sensible approach," he said, adding that the round table also took to task individuals and politicians who resorted to playing the racial cards to gain political mileage.

Dr Ambigapathy, when met by reporters later, said experienced teachers who were able to fully comprehend the context of the novel should the ones teaching the literature component of the Bahasa Malaysia subject.

‘Interlok' is the textbook for the literature component of the Bahasa Malaysia subject for Form Five starting this year.

"As an academician, I am of the opinion that it is a good text but the question is how the text is interpreted in classes so the actual meaning is conveyed and not misunderstood by students," he said.

- Bernama