Racial Unity or Disunity?

It was reported in one of our local dailies, New Straits Times that "a noble approach in tackling racial polarisation in universities has backfired."

The article was refering to the newly introduced course on Ethnic Relations in University Putra Malaysia. What is the furore about? It seems the 'authors' of the book who were supposed to write about the various races in this country in view of bringing a better understanding of each other have instead writtem some things which could ignite hatred and distrust which in turn could worsen the polarisation that already exists.

This issue was also brought up by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz who even lamented what these 'writers' were trying to prove. He went to the extent of saying that anyone who wasn't happy with the book could make a police report. What was the reply from the Higher Education Minister, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed? "the Government was prepared to make amendments if there were factual mistakes in the book. However, he said the contents were based on facts. The Minister then told the House(our Parliament) that the Government stood by its stand that incidents listed in the textbooks were correct." 

How did the authors of this book come to know 'the facts of the case'? Take for example the May 13th incident. No arrests were ever made and as of 2004, the official report on May 13th is still covered under the Official Secrets Act. So, how is it a couple of 'education material writers' have been able to get the so called 'facts' and managed to publish it without being arrested? What about the Kampung Medan incident? There was no information given to the public by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission or from the Police. Where did these 'writers' get their material and who gave them the clearance? Something fishy is going on.

The government has been emphasizing on the importance of having good race relations and encouraged racial intergration in the schools. It seems there is a different story at the university level. The Higher Education Minister must have missed out or played truant during the short courses given by the PM on "The Importance of Racial Intergration, Open Houses during Festivals, The Natianal Service, etc... How on earth could the government support something like this? Is this minister out of his mind? 

One of the reasons for forcing young people of various races to live together under the Nationa Service program was to encourage intergration and to foster better understanding among the younger generation who are our future leaders. It is a good plan and I applaud the government for introducing it. But what are these 'writers' trying to do? Just look around us and see the carnage that comes from hate and distrust. What happened in Bali and recently in Mumbai. The bombing at Kings Cross and now the shelling of Lebanon and Haifa. Do we want something like this to happen here? When those students graduate from University Putra Malaysia after having learnt the 'facts' they might end up being teachers. What do you think they are going to teach the impressionable minds of the young ones? The same distorted 'facts' that they have learned from the university! The vicious cycle goes on.

The Prime Minister hasn't made any statements regarding this issue as yet. He is too busy with his 880 projects worth RM15 billion. Sooner or later he has to make a stand on this issue! Our country's peace and harmony is at stake here.