MP urges reform of history syllabus to focus on Sabah, Sarawak

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says current syllabus is too Malaya-centric.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says he met Education Minister Maszlee Malik to raise issues on educational reforms and the history of Sabah and Sarawak.

KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has stressed the need to include more information on the important roles played by Sabah and Sarawak leaders in the formation of Malaysia in the history syllabus in schools.

“Currently, it is more Malaya-centric and gives the impression that the birth of our country was mainly the doing of Malayan leaders.

“This has to be corrected as the roles played by leaders from Sabah and Sarawak as well as Singapore in the creation of Malaysia are not properly highlighted,” he said in a statement today.

Yii said he met Education Minister Maszlee Malik recently to raise issues on educational reforms and the history of Sabah and Sarawak that is currently not properly highlighted in the school syllabus.

“Besides that, the importance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the special rights and status we enjoy are barely taught in schools.

“Emphasis also has to be given on how the different religions came to flourish in both East Malaysian states, giving a more accurate representation of the lifestyle and sociological make-up in these two regions.”

The newly-elected MP pointed out that one of the important steps in regaining MA63 rights for Sarawak and Sabah was to reform the education system so that Malaysians are made aware of their rights and how they came about.

“Other reforms discussed included the new minister’s plans to inject new methods into our education system, shifting the focus away from rankings and examinations.

“Another is to allow teachers to focus more on teaching, rather than be burdened by administrative and clerical work,” Yii added. -FMT