Why did Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) lecturers remain silent on a controversial guidebook on ethnic relations which has been in use since the start of the new semester more than six months ago?

This is the question posed by Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.

"Why had there been no lecturers who had spoken up against its tendentious and divisive content?" questioned the veteran DAP politician in a statement.

Lim also asked if the two UPM lecturers who authored the book were willing to make a public apology for "the disservice they had done to ethnic relations, national unity and the Malaysian academia".

On the same note, the opposition leader commended Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for withdrawing the book, which critics claim will burn rather than build bridges among the various communities.

"Abdullah has again 'saved the day' as the guidebook was a total failure in its purported purpose to foster ethnic relations," he said.

Mustapa rapped again

He also called on the special committee, which has been tasked to review the book, not to just focus on three topics - the May 13 riots, Kampung Medan tragedy and the Suqiu controversy.

Attention should also be given to other objectionable chapters which failed to give proper recognition to Malaysia's multi-religious character, he added.

He said the special committee should also evaluate and review all university curriculum, courses, module and textbooks which misrepresent Malaysian nation-building and history.

Lim also continued his criticism against Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed for not making a stand when the issue was raised in Parliament by DAP MP Chong Chieng Jen.

"What was even more unthinkable was that Mustapa could stand up in Parliament on Tuesday to defend the indefensible, claiming that the historic lies in the guidebook were in fact historic facts, and that the guidebook would not be withdrawn?,"he said.

The book had ruffled feathers for, among others, blaming DAP for the May 13 racial riots and the anti-social attitude of Indian youths for the Kg Medan incident.

It had also termed the appeal by Suqiu - a Chinese lobby group - for a non-discriminative affirmative action policy as being 'extremist'.

Probe UPM assault

In another development, Lim said Mustapa must call for an immediate investigation into the assault and unruly conduct by UPM student council leaders against five 'anti-establishment' students.

The matter was highlighted by malaysiakini after a video recording of the incident surfaced.

"He (Mustapa) should...make it clear that there is academic freedom for students to disagree with the establishment students' union and that any differences should be thrashed out rationally through discussion and debate and not through any mob conduct.

"Mustapa should realise that these disgraceful episodes cannot be 'covered up' or ignored, as more and more people ee the video clip would demand to know what the Ministry is doing," said Lim.