Revising the revised ethnic relations module
Wong Yeen FernPublished: Jan 29, 2007 6:05 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
A prominent academician has urged the higher education ministry to revise the newly- drafted Ethnic Relations Module in view of the number of factual, grammatical and typographical errors in the text.
A prominent academician has urged the higher education ministry to revise the newly- drafted Ethnic Relations Module in view of the number of factual, grammatical and typographical errors in the text.
Dr Ranjit Sigh Malhi, a prominent writer said he had found at least seven factual errors and more than 80 grammatical and typographical errors.
On page 2, for example, it is stated that the National Unity Department was set up in 1971 - the correct year is 1969, he said when contacted.
Typographical and grammatical errors include abad ke 16 instead of abad ke-16 and Melyu for Melayu.
Ranjit said it is essential for the ministry to have the module edited by a competent editor before sending it for printing and also for the module to be thoroughly vetted for factual accuracy.
"Perhaps a highly experienced and competent editor from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka," he suggested when asked who would be the best person to edit the module.
An academician, who requested anonymity, claimed that the panel of academicians that drafted the module had not put enough effort into the editing process.
He said the quality of editing and proofreading is bad, while the use of language "atrocious", given the extent of errors.
"This module will go down in history as the one with the most typographical and grammatical errors if the ministry does not do something about it," he said.
The Star today quoted higher education secretary-general Dr Zulkefli A Hassan as saying that the ministry has been receiving comments regarding grammar, spelling and facts since last Wednesday when the final draft was approved by the cabinet.
He said a panel in the ministry has been given two weeks to come up with a revised version.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Malay World and Civilisation Institute director Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, who helmed the panel, said he had spent at least six months on editing and making changes to the previous module.
On Jan 25, the ministry announced that the cabinet had approved the new version of the module the day before and it is a 'more balanced' compilation that includes the contributions of different ethnic groups to nation building.
Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed said it would provide a more accurate reflection of Malaysia as a multi-cultural nation, and that the contents would foster better relations among the people.
The guidebook was introduced early last year for first-year students of public universities. It was withdrawn last July after drawing flak from various groups.
Dr Ranjit Sigh Malhi, a prominent writer said he had found at least seven factual errors and more than 80 grammatical and typographical errors. On page 2, for example, it is stated that the National Unity Department was set up in 1971 - the correct year is 1969, he said when contacted.
Typographical and grammatical errors include abad ke 16 instead of abad ke-16 and Melyu for Melayu.
Ranjit said it is essential for the ministry to have the module edited by a competent editor before sending it for printing and also for the module to be thoroughly vetted for factual accuracy.
"Perhaps a highly experienced and competent editor from Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka," he suggested when asked who would be the best person to edit the module. An academician, who requested anonymity, claimed that the panel of academicians that drafted the module had not put enough effort into the editing process.
He said the quality of editing and proofreading is bad, while the use of language "atrocious", given the extent of errors.
"This module will go down in history as the one with the most typographical and grammatical errors if the ministry does not do something about it," he said.
The Star today quoted higher education secretary-general Dr Zulkefli A Hassan as saying that the ministry has been receiving comments regarding grammar, spelling and facts since last Wednesday when the final draft was approved by the cabinet. He said a panel in the ministry has been given two weeks to come up with a revised version.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Malay World and Civilisation Institute director Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, who helmed the panel, said he had spent at least six months on editing and making changes to the previous module.
On Jan 25, the ministry announced that the cabinet had approved the new version of the module the day before and it is a 'more balanced' compilation that includes the contributions of different ethnic groups to nation building.
Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed said it would provide a more accurate reflection of Malaysia as a multi-cultural nation, and that the contents would foster better relations among the people. The guidebook was introduced early last year for first-year students of public universities. It was withdrawn last July after drawing flak from various groups.
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