PARLIAMENT | A government backbencher has suggested the Education Ministry include communist figures and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's reformasi-era struggle in the history syllabus for secondary school.
Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat) said the new generations should be exposed to information about its modern politics, on top of learning the history of Malaysia's independence.
"Is the Education Ministry planning a new module? Whenever we mention matters related to independence, we would usually speak about figures such as (former prime ministers) Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, and so on.
"While we discussed these leaders, there were also other figures who had been involved in fighting for independence, such as Burhanuddin Helmi, Ahmad Boestamam, and Ishak Muhammad.
"If we go even further, there are figures who are quite controversial, like Shamsiah Fakeh, Abdullah CD, and Rashid Maidin," he said during an oral question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat.
Sany (above) was asking a supplementary question to Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh regarding Putrajaya's plan to educate school students about politics.
‘Expose students to Bersih rallies, ‘Satan Move’’
The Amanah lawmaker urged schools to teach modern politics so the younger generation would understand how the country and its system became what they are today.
"The new generations should be exposed to (history of) modern politics, for example, the sacking of Anwar and how reformasi was born in 1998.
"We have Bersih rallies that have shaped our elections today, how it can now be held cleanly and fairly.
"Also, there was the Sheraton Move. Or was it the ‘Satan Move’ (Langkah Syaitan)? Then there was the rally against ISA (Internal Security Act 1960), a draconian law which we managed to abolish due to the anti-ISA protest," Sany said.
Ministry notes suggestions
In response to this, Wong said while all that Sany mentioned was indeed part of Malaysian history, the ministry has a process in developing and reviewing the history subject curriculum.
They include engaging history experts, academicians and institutions such as the National Archives.
"At the same time, we also involve teachers, professional bodies and the civil society in engagement sessions.
"This is to ensure the content of (the history curriculum) will remain relevant and accurate.
"In regard to the suggestion from Hulu Langat, we take note and everything related to developing the curriculum of every subject will be done according to the due process," he added.
Burhanuddin, Ahmad Boestamam and Ishak were among the famous leftist Malay nationalist movement leaders during the pre-independence era.
Shamsiah, Abdullah and Rashid were also leftist nationalists, but they were considered more controversial due to their involvement in the Malayan Communist Party. - Mkini
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