Introduction by CPI We are reproducing below two tributes paid to Lim Kit Siang on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The CPI joins the many Malaysians wishing him many happy returns, and recognizing his extraordinary contribution to the nation through his dogged struggle for the preservation of our parliamentary democratic system and fight for … Read more
In remarks for Malaysiakini (see below the M’kini article) following his open letter calling on the Government to withdraw Interlok as a literature school text, Dr Lim Teck Ghee expressed his dismay that the book with its racially tainted messages – both direct and indirect – could have been selected as a school text. … Read more
Dear Esteemed Malaysians, I am not sure if you have been following this issue which is not only causing concern amongst many Malaysians but it also has the potential to poison young minds through its insidious and divisive racial stereotyping and messages. I feel that, purely on educational and pedagogical grounds, this book with … Read more
Introduction by CPI We are reproducing two recent articles which provide useful analysis on the dynamics that are at work in determining the course of the country’s future. One is an interview conducted with John Malott who wrote a controversial article which recently appeared in the Asian Wall Street Journal on the price of the … Read more
CPI introduction: This is precisely what Rejal is now doing. [CPI note: Former Berita Harian group editor Ahmad Rejal Arbee wrote an article titled ‘Rakyat patriotik patut bangga bertutur guna bahasa Melayu’ on Feb 3]. ***************************** Language and national patriotism: Utusan’s and Berita Harian’s Divisive Role Clive Kessler The Malay language will only achieve its … Read more
We urge CPI readers and others to sign this important petition by a courageous parent. The petition calls on the authorities to act immediately to address the bias and shortcomings plaguing the Malaysian history syllabus and textbooks. Our younger generation deserve a broad, impartial and fair history in their education. They do not deserve narrowly … Read more
CPI Introduction It is not our policy to comment on or carry commentaries on developments taking place in neighbouring countries. The only exceptions occur when we feel that a particular post may be useful in the lessons that are provided to us. In this particular post reproduced below, the concerns that have led Mr. Pritam … Read more
Introduction by CPI The Star today frontpaged ‘Interlok stays’ as its main story and reporting Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as saying the contentious novel is to remain a Form 5 exam text but with amendments to several aspects “deemed sensitive by the Indian community???. A section of the Indian community suspects that the selection of … Read more
The teaching of History at the secondary school level is shrouded in controversy due to the apparent inaccuracies, biased representations and distortion of facts. At the primary school level, Malaysian history which is examined in the subject ‘Kajian Tempatan’ (local studies) fares no better. Consider the subject matter and emphasis taught at the Year … Read more
Students in Malaysia are forced to study Malaccan history. They are told that Parameswara is the first Sultan of ‘Malaya’. They are also told that Malacca was a great empire. However, there is no evidence of Malacca today. In fact, there is only and plenty of evidence of the Dutch, the Portuguese, and Bukit Cina. … Read more