In a nutshell, Interlok is an unfit and improperly assigned text that negates the Ministry of Education’s own guidelines through its multitude of sensitive and offensive elements.
Read more: Unfit textbook: Interlok insults with impunity
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Why did a book that failed to suitably impress the literati of its time proceed to enjoy political patronage later, he asked.
It is not unreasonable to deduce that the book’s publication in 1971 (the manuscript being revived after languishing four years in obscurity) was agenda driven.
Read more: 'Interlok a classic work of Malaysian racism'
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When trying to ensure that the populace is sympathetic to a particular point of view, starting inculcation young is a useful tactic. In various ways, Umno is using school history textbooks to push its view of Malayan and Malaysian history.
Read more: Half the country disappears in M’sian history syllabus
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It is my argument that comparing Singapore’s race relations against Malaysia sets the bar for the Singapore system too low, and ultimately represents a meaningless comparison. Worse, the blind confidence in the Singapore state’s meritocracy mantra may operate to dilute and distract Singaporeans from making serious enquiries into the substance of our multi-racial society. 
There are larger issues as well that we need to debate vigorously in the public sphere. Will the teaching of history, especially in its current form, foster patriotism and national unity? Or will it result in greater racial and religious polarization?
Read more: History syllabus and textbooks: The non-Malay fig leaf and more serious matters
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