DAP to push for debate on 'Interlok'
Hazlan ZakariaPublished: Mar 9, 2011 1:50 PM | Updated: Mar 9, 2011 2:43 PM
The DAP plans to take issues surrounding Interlok to the people as well as to Parliament if the education minister does not withdraw the book as compulsory Form Five Malay literature reading.
The DAP plans to take issues surrounding Interlok to the people as well as to Parliament if the education minister does not withdraw the book as compulsory Form Five Malay literature reading.
"We are seekin
g an urgent meeting with (Education Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin to appeal to him, one more time, to withdraw the book from the school system,” Klang MP Charles Santiago told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
“We will also push for an urgent motion in Parliament to discuss the book."
The party will also initiate a nationwide roadshow that will begin in Sungai Petani, Kedah, in two weeks' time and culminate in Selangor in April.
"This is to explain to all Malaysians why the book is not good (in building) national unity," he explained.
As proof of the destabilising effect of the book, Santiago pointed to an incident reported yesterday by Malaysiakini.
Seven Indian students had a confrontation with a disciplinary teacher when attempting to return the book to their school principal. Three of them were then questioned for 10 hours by police at their Kuala Kubu Baru station.
"Schools have become highly hostile environments that are detrimental to the learning process. This makes teaching and learning very difficult,” said Santiago.
“Malay teachers will have to address Indian Malaysians, and local Indian teachers will have to address Malay students on this issue. It is going to hamper the learning process.”
While the b
ook was reportedly put in the literature list to create national unity, the reverse has happened, Santiago said, pointing to a previous incident in a school in Ampang.
Opposition to the novel and its use in schools has become a rallying cry for Indian-based NGOs, in particular the Human Rights Party, a splinter of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force.
It has taken to the streets and organised forums on the issue, but the police have cracked down on the activities.
"We are seekin
g an urgent meeting with (Education Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin to appeal to him, one more time, to withdraw the book from the school system,” Klang MP Charles Santiago told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.“We will also push for an urgent motion in Parliament to discuss the book."
The party will also initiate a nationwide roadshow that will begin in Sungai Petani, Kedah, in two weeks' time and culminate in Selangor in April.
"This is to explain to all Malaysians why the book is not good (in building) national unity," he explained.
As proof of the destabilising effect of the book, Santiago pointed to an incident reported yesterday by Malaysiakini.
Seven Indian students had a confrontation with a disciplinary teacher when attempting to return the book to their school principal. Three of them were then questioned for 10 hours by police at their Kuala Kubu Baru station.
"Schools have become highly hostile environments that are detrimental to the learning process. This makes teaching and learning very difficult,” said Santiago.
“Malay teachers will have to address Indian Malaysians, and local Indian teachers will have to address Malay students on this issue. It is going to hamper the learning process.”
While the b
ook was reportedly put in the literature list to create national unity, the reverse has happened, Santiago said, pointing to a previous incident in a school in Ampang.Opposition to the novel and its use in schools has become a rallying cry for Indian-based NGOs, in particular the Human Rights Party, a splinter of the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force.
It has taken to the streets and organised forums on the issue, but the police have cracked down on the activities.
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