Malaysia has revised a controversial ethnic relations textbook after criticism from ethnic Chinese and Indian groups over its portrayal of race riots and other sensitive issues.

The Higher Education Ministry, which withdrew the first guidebook for the university-level ethnic relations course last July, said late yesterday that the cabinet had approved the new version after extensive reworking.

"This module is balanced. I'm confident it will be accepted by the Malaysian society," Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed said according to the official Bernama news agency.

Mustapa said the new version took into account the views of various groups in Malaysia, where the majority Muslim Malays live alongside large minority Indian and Chinese communities.

"I hope through this module the students will have a clear awareness on the importance to preserve racial harmony and unity and the need for more concerted efforts to forge closer ties among the various races and religions," he said.

More views included

The original course was criticised by the opposition and some members of the ruling multi-ethnic coalition because of its allegedly biased portrayal of the Chinese and Indian roles in 1969 and 2001 racial clashes.

Mustapa said that in the new version, references to the 2001 "Kampung Medan" clashes have been omitted and more views from leaders of other races were included.

The government promotes its record of maintaining racial harmony in Malaysia but there are deep concerns over the increasing polarisation between the races and a lack of social unity.