But if MuhiyiddinYassin is so fond of this book, perhaps he should donate copies of Interlok to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and all the business people in India whom he recently tried to solicit billions of ringgit in business deals from.........

But if MuhiyiddinYassin is so fond of this book, perhaps he should donate copies of Interlok to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and all the business people in India whom he recently tried to solicit billions of ringgit in business deals from. While he’s at it, he should donate Interlok to Hu Jintao of China. Let’s see how more than 1 billion Indians react to being called pariah. Let’s see how more than 1 billion Chinese react to their women being called prostitutes.


It is in the educational sector where proponents of the Ketuanan Melayu dogma have sought to impose their will and polarize our communities.

By Dr. Lim Teck Ghee

As the drama over the Interlok textbook issue continues to unfold, it is important for Malaysians to understand the context and the stakes involved, and to make a stand.

There are some defenders of the book who have argued that withdrawing or even just editing it will rob Malaysian writers of their artistic freedom and integrity. To these people, I would like to say “Hello, where have you been” – Interlok has already been edited twice, in 2005 for Edisi Pelajar and in 2010 for Edisi Murid.

Its literary integrity was already compromised by the shedding of some 85 pages even before this latest controversy.

In fact, copyright for the edition distributed free to schools no longer belongs to Abdullah Hussain but to Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

Hence Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s statement that his ministry “will ensure that any amendments made will not affect the storyline of the novel and the noble message that the author wants to convey” is nothing short of whitewash.

According to reports, Muhyiddin is not permitting anything beyond deletion of the word ‘pariah’.

This concession is like slicing off one tentacle from a hundred-headed hydra – a totally pointless exercise.

Make no mistake; Interlok is a work that must not be permitted into the nation’s class rooms as a compulsory literature text. Anything less is a vital failure to grasp the gravity of the threat it poses.

The quarrel is not merely with vocabulary or spelling (for example, of ‘tali’ vs ‘thali’) but the overall suitability of the novel with its overt and covert racial messages as a school text.

Starting ‘em young and younger

Concern by many Malaysians that Interlok has been intentionally selected by the authorities to fulfill the Umno/Biro Tata Negara objective of indoctrinating young minds with a warped worldview and national view is hardly misplaced.

Before these concerns are dismissed as imaginary or overwrought, let us not forget that education has long been and continues to be the most politicized sector of the country.

Far from being neutral institutions, many of our public sector colleges and universities consciously and consistently promote a narrow nationalism.

It is in the educational sector where proponents of the Ketuanan Melayu dogma have sought to impose their will and polarize our communities.

Their missionary zeal focuses on use of race-based criteria at all levels and in all aspects. It is no surprise therefore that the propagation of the ideology of super-ordination and subordination has now been extended to the schools, and to the curriculum and text books.

As has been pointed out by those who have analysed the Interlok content, why are all the villains and nasty characters Chinese and Indians?

One of the key plots turns on the rapacious Chinese merchant swindling the easily duped Malay of his inheritance.

Touted as a ‘historical novel’, Interlok is constructing a version of BTN history and racial stereotypes to influence young minds.

Drawing line in the sand

Its government-mandated and authorities-supported dissemination and circulation appears to further a carefully thought-out agenda to fan racial animosity.

Because Interlok is the first round battle (in tandem with the History curriculum revamp), it is important for conscientious objectors to send a strong signal to the Education Minister and his bureaucratic and academic cronies that Malaysians will not be cowed into acquiescence.

We must exercise our right to openly discuss, criticize and protest on this crucial matter.

To remain mute will only embolden the apologist wolves wrapped in their sheep clothing of educational good intention and defence of literary freedom.

Comments (9)..

written by tehewe@gmail.com , March 19, 2011 16:55:37

With or without Samy Velu, MIC still have to listen to UMNO because their leaders does not have the guts to stand up to UMNO. All for their precious MInisterial positions and self interest. MCA also 2 x 5!

written by Fart Fart Wah, March 19, 2011 10:20:07

According to the Intelok author it would mean even the Kerala Dog is a pariah...for 22 years he wagged his tail and the Malays worship it. ...

written by gadislabu, March 19, 2011 00:25:45

Muhiyiddin Yassin, we will protest until you and your cronies with intelligence pay heed. ...

written by DPG, March 18, 2011 22:04:04

I am beginning to come round to Dr. Lim's thinking. And which is UMNO's and BTN's continued stand of indoctrinating the young, especially the Malays in becoming racists and nurture a hatred for the other races. In this respect, the novel Interlok, has a role to play, in portraying the Indians and Chinese as lower classes of humans and people to be hatred. This is part of the build up(and in addition to) the part played by BTN and UMNO racists all these years to turn the Malay mind into UMNO zombies. As I have written many times before, I have lost all my Malay friends who have become racists and have openly expressed their hatred of non-Malays. Can we blame the Malays, who have been continuously bombarded by UMNO ultra's, Utusan Melayu, and BTN these many decades? My gut feeling is that the component parties have a hand in this too. ..

written by aeiou, March 18, 2011 18:26:40

Stormquest has very good points. Yes, the Indian and Chinese communities are small and powerless, so they will continue to be easy targets for these Malay racists . But the truth can never be hidden. Sooner or later, the ignorant Malays who are deceived by the racist's book will discover the truth for themselves that the Chinese and Indians are not what as claimed in the racist's book. ..

written by Alice, March 18, 2011 16:53:23

Concern by many Malaysians that Interlok has been intentionally selected by the authorities to fulfill the Umno/Biro Tata Negara objective of indoctrinating young minds with a warped worldview and national view is hardly misplaced --------------------------

The above is the truth!

Some Malays are very very insensitive towards the feelings of non Malays.

Ungrateful too. The contribution of the Indian community towards development in Malaysia, esp in the rubber plantations is huge. They should learn how to respect the Indians in this country.

INTERLOK SHOULD NOT BE A COMPULSORY SCHOOL LITERATURE BOOK.

VOTE THEM OUT!! ..

written by educationist, March 18, 2011 16:50:17

Thank you Dr Lim for alerting us as to the import of using this controversial novel!!

So, we must make a stand!!

No to Interlok!!

Period!!

Let's see if the MIC nominees to the review panel will dare stand their ground!! ...

written by Stormquest, March 18, 2011 14:01:10

Would editing Salman Rushdie’s book, “The Satanic Verses” pacify Muslims?

Would editing Adolph Hitler’s book, “Mein Kampf” pacify Jews?

How then would editing Interlok pacify Indians and Chinese?
Why keep Interlok, when it can be easily be replaced by a book of the highest literary standards which truly promotes racial and religious harmony, and one which all Malaysians can relate to? If they really can’t find such a book, then they can easily use one of Lat’s comic books. At least students can learn about each others cultures while having fun.

But MuhiyiddinYassin and his UMNO/Perkasa buddies are insisting on Interlok, despite numerous objections. Why? Trying to push racist BTN ideology onto the younger generation of Malaysians?

MuhiyiddinYassin and his UMNO/Perkasa buddies know that they can get away with it as the Indian and Chinese communities are small and powerless.

But if MuhiyiddinYassin is so fond of this book, perhaps he should donate copies of Interlok to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and all the business people in India whom he recently tried to solicit billions of ringgit in business deals from. While he’s at it, he should donate Interlok to Hu Jintao of China. Let’s see how more than 1 billion Indians react to being called pariah. Let’s see how more than 1 billion Chinese react to their women being called prostitutes. ...

written by temenggong, March 18, 2011 13:51:49

Dr. Lim is one of the few conscientious voices who reads the situation correctly and is willing to speak up and make the call.

What is the point of appointing an advisory panel if the minister is unwilling to abide by the panel's advice?