REVIEW OF SELECTIVE FACTS IN SCHOOL HISTORY BOOKS

Kuala Lumpur, April 28, 2009: Deputy Education Minister Dr Wee Ka Siong wants school history textbooks reviewed by a committee comprising experts of all races will sift-through textbooks to ensure the contents of the textbooks do not offend anyone, whether Malay, Chinese, or Indian, or sow misunderstanding.

"All races played a role in bringing the country to where it is today, and this must be reflected in the textbooks. With a multiracial committee of authors, a consensus can be reached on what should be included and what ought to be taken out of the textbooks," says Wee, who is also MCA Youth chief and the party's education bureau head.

Former education minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein agreed to the establishment of the multiracial team of experts before the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

"I will brief Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on the feelings of the stakeholders on this and urge for a review to be carried out as soon as possible," says Wee.

For those concerned over the omissions and lack of emphasis on certain communities in history textbooks, this is welcome news.

Acknowledgement from the authorities that a problem exists is a crucial step in the right direction; more so if it comes with assurances to rectify existing weaknesses.

Wee agrees that several elements in the textbooks are inappropriate. Those elements contain politically aligned and narrow views that can skew students' impressions of historical events and their impact on the country and its communities.

Wee points out more such examples. In the Form Three textbook, one paragraph on Page 100 states: "Kelonggaran syarat kewarganegaraan menunjukkan pengorbanan orang Melayu terhadap kaum lain demi mewujudkan perpaduan dan kesejahteraan rakyat." ("Loose citizenship requirements showed the sacrifice of the Malays for the other communities in building the people's unity and well-being.")

"All races sacrificed for the country," Wee says. "This needs to be adequately represented." He also takes exception to a quotation on Page 119 of the Form Three textbook, which he says can be taken out of context.

On cooperation among the races towards independence, the quote states: "Negeri ini diterima daripada Melayu maka patutlah diserahkan balik pada Melayu...". ("The country belongs to the Malays and should, therefore, be returned to them.)

"This quote by Tunku Abdul Rahman can be easily taken out of context if read as it is," says Wee. "If it must be used, it should be published in its entirety. Only then would one be able to observe that the tone of his speech was different."

Wee also points out that historical figures such as Lim Bo Seng, Gurchan Singh and Sybil Karthigesu have vanished from the record. All resisted the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War 2 and paid the price for it.

"Leftenan Adnan (Saidi) of the Malay Regiment, however, gets a mention and a photograph."

Adnan famously fought the Japanese in the battles of Pasir Panjang and Bukit Chandu. Wee acknowledges that there has been very little mention of historical figures from Sabah and Sarawak beyond a line or two.

"This must be rectified, as Sabah and Sarawak helped form Malaysia in 1963." Illustrations will also be scrutinised.

Wee says the history syllabus needs to be reviewed based on current needs and updated from time to time.

"It is high time for a review to see what needs to be included and what needs to be taken out."

Wee was among those who had pushed for a revision of the Ethnic Relations module for public universities two years ago. A revision was made after five months, six drafts and three Cabinet meetings later to address "lop-sided, controversial or sensitive" elements in the module.

History textbooks demand a similar revision. In carrying it out, the ministry's guiding principles must always be on enhancing knowledge and educating society. The spirit of the Rukun Negara should also be adhered to and given more emphasis through all chapters in the textbooks.

At the same time, the ministry should pay heed to the other subjects, for it is not just the contents of history textbooks that need rethinking and reviewing; parents have noticed elements of racial and gender stereotyping in other texts.

Women are almost always teachers or shown tucking children into bed or whipping up a delicious meal in the kitchen. Just one example: On page 12 of the Year One Bahasa Melayu textbook, there are illustrations of the types of homes "Ah Keong", "Kumar", "Dayang" and "Daneng" reside in.

Ah Keong lives in a spacious brick terrace house in an upper middle-class neighbourhood; Kumar in a low-cost flat; Dayang in a rather ramshackle wooden house; and Daneng, a Sarawak native, in a longhouse.

Such depictions distort the perception of impressionable young students. The minds of children need to be infused with knowledge, not infiltrated with questionable, misleading or, worse, inaccurate information.