The Indian Writers Association (Kavyan) has taken the same stance as other Indian NGOs over the novel Interlok that makes up part of the Form 5 literature study-material.
It said the book should be edited to eliminate terms that are sensitive to the Indian Malaysian community.
“Kavyan accepts the novel as a work of literature. However, when it becomes a text book for students, it must be 'purified' to suit them,” said president Uthaya Shankar SB in a statement to Malaysiakini.
“It needs to be edited to remove words like paria, kasta and others that are sensitive and could cause Indian students to be ridiculed....”
The issue surfaced when Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department T Murugiah registered his objection to the novel, after a discussion with Dewan Bahasa and Pustaka.
Other Indian politicians and organisations followed suit, including the Federation of Malaysian Indian Organisations which threatened nationwide protests and disruptions to the upcoming Tenang by-election.
The government is still studying the matter and no decision has been made thus far.
Interlok, written by national laureate Abdullah Hussain, is based on integration of the Malays, Chinese and Indians from the early 1900s up to Independence.
However Malay right-wing group Perkasa has given its full backing to the novel.
"What is sensitive? If the book is written by national laureate, what is there to make noise?" asked its head Ibrahim Ali in a text-message to Malaysiakini.
“This country was originally Tanah Melayu, hence the sensitivity of Malays and indigenous peoples should be taken care of.”
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/152297
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