KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 — The Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) has joined a growing chorus calling for period novel “Interlok” to be replaced as required reading in national schools.
The Malay novel by laureate, Datuk Abdullah Hussain, was written over 40 years ago and became the subject of controversy after a Selangor school head, who quoted from the book during assembly last month, was accused of racism.
“Interlok” is set in the early 1900s and recounts the country’s history from the point of view of three male protagonists — Seman, a Malay; Chin Huat, a Chinese; and Maniam, an Indian.
Several political parties and non-governmental groups claim the word “pariah”, as used in the book, is derogatory and demeaning to the ethnic Indian community who are mostly Tamil.
They want it banned on those grounds.
“We are saddened that education is being compromised to advance a very insidious attempt to ridicule, insult and belittle the non-Muslim citizens of this country,” the MCCBCHST said in a statement today, siding with the detractors.
“MCCBCHST once again appeal to you Prime Minister Sir, to withdraw the novel ‘Interlok’ and replace it with another novel that is free of derogatory words and suggestions,” the non-Muslim faith council added, urging Datuk Seri Najib Razak to live up to his 1 Malaysia slogan.
In making its case against any amendments to the text, the book’s author and supporters have insisted there is nothing wrong with the book as it was written based on historical fact.
The Education Ministry helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin set up an independent panel to review the book last week.
It has one month to complete its work.
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