Thursday 10 February 2011

The Interlok issue again..



This will be a short post:

Interlok panel to meet on Feb 16


KUALA LUMPUR: The independent panel to look into amending sensitive parts of the Interlok novel used as a Form Five literature textbook will meet on Feb 16, Education director-general Datuk Abdul Ghafar Mahmud said Wednesday.


He said the panel would consider the appropriate amendments and submit its recommendations to the Government soon.


"The independent panel of eight people comprises linguists, academicians, literary experts and representatives from the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka and the Indian community," he said in a statement.


Read the rest here.


My thoughts is simply this; the novel Interlok was written many years ago by National Laureate Datuk Abdullah Hussain, it is national literature. To change even a small part of it is like changing a artistic 3D model which in turn will make it lose its art form, its message. While I understand the good intention of the Government, I think the novel Interlok should not be amended even a word from its original form. Best to take it out of the education system completely and have it replaced by another novel which will not hurt the feeling of all races in Malaysia. 

2 comments:

Kenn said...

Well, perhaps it is 'best' for weak leaders to rest and enjoy their gardens with their grandchildren.

eddy said...

Well Bro Kenn. I am actually surprised that the author of the Interlok has not yet told our leaders and the various political parties and NGO's who wants to amend his work to just fly kite.