There is a new subject for university students called Ethnic Relations. And the textbook used by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) offers important lessons on what not to do when trying to foster inter-communal ties.

Concerned groups and individuals claim that the book appears to be burning rather than building bridges between the communities.

The subject has been introduced in all public universities except in Universiti Malaya (UM) and the Islamic University Malaysia (IIU).

The Ministry of Higher Education has made it mandatory for university students to study the subject beginning this year's academic session.

"Some parts of the textbook are just political indoctrination, propaganda, and even statements with elements of defamation," said human rights group Suaram coordinator Chang Li Kang.

In a section from the chapter 'Political development in the context of ethnic relations: Current developments,' the book referred to the call for a non-discriminatory affirmative action policy by the Malaysian Chinese Election Appeals Committee (Suqiu) as 'extremist'.

"Such (extremist) demands should no longer exist, in order to defend the harmony that has so far been experienced and to preserve the relations and cooperation between the various races in Malaysia," reads an extract.

'Hurting' words

Commenting on this, Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner Prof Dr Khoo Kay Kim said using words like 'extremist' went against the objectives of the subject.

"Look at the words that are being used. You are hurting the other side," said the renowned historian when met at his office in UM.

"A lot of these people (in Suqui) do not see themselves as extremists. It is legitimate for them to ask for certain things. Whether you agree with them or not is a different matter. But it is sufficient to say that they asked for these things, not call them extremists.

"The proper way to approach ethnic relations is never to use strong language which would hurt one of the parties concerned. The idea is to win people over, not to disenchant them," he added.

Khoo also took issue with the text's selective presentation of history as found in the ninth chapter 'Historical development of political parties'.

The text focussed solely on the role of ruling party Umno and the Independence of Malaya Party set up in 1946 and 1951, respectively.

BN propaganda

Meanwhile, a coalition of students' groups - Students Solidarity Malaysia (SMM) - said the book made it seem "as if there were no other parties and organisations in Malaysia participating in the political arena and the country's nation-building."

In a press statement, they described the textbook as more of an imposition of the ruling Barisan Nasional's propaganda.

"In Malaysia, political accommodation can be clearly seen in the BN as the pioneering body that encompassed race-based parties," stated the textbook.

Elsewhere, the textbook said "the (BN) symbol of the scale shows that the BN is a party that emphasises equal and equitable rights between its component parties and, indirectly, presses for equal rights among all groups.

"BN gives emphasis to efforts at ensuring that all races are represented through the practice of power-sharing in order to guarantee peace, prosperity, harmony amongst all Malaysians regardless of ethnic affiliation. In line with that, BN emphasises national unity and ensures a system of governance for the whole populace."

Khoo expressed regret that such a subject had been rendered into an exercise in indoctrination rather than an objective analysis of the state of ethnic relations in the country.

"Historians are expected to draw conclusions to interpret. But in doing so, they have to be very careful that they do not distort reality.

"This whole thing sounds like political propaganda rather than a clear explanation of the problems and possible solutions that can be taken in this country," he said.

Racist overtones

Another fault of the textbook, noted SMM, was the racist overtones contained in some references to instances of ethnic conflicts.

For example, in the reference to the May 13, 1969 riots, opposition party DAP was singled out as a Chinese-majority party that had 'upset the Malays' and contributed to the conflagration that occurred

"...the DAP, which is made up mostly of Chinese, conducted a procession in Kuala Lumpur in which they insulted and uttered statements that upset the Malays," read the textbook.

In its reference to the 2001 Kampung Medan incident, the textbook blamed Indian youths as one of the factors.

"The Malay community in the said area had lost their patience with the anti-social attitude of groups of Indian youths and wanted to teach them a lesson..."

Blame game

Commenting on this, Khoo pointed out that it was BN coalition member Gerakan and not DAP which had participated in the procession in Kuala Lumpur's Kampung Baru that triggered the 1969 riots.

The historian said this was another instance where the objectives of the textbook was lost due to the 'blame-game' played by its writers.

"You're again blaming people. So how can you hope to bring people together? It would be better to say there was a misunderstanding on both sides. A book like that will cause no end to the damage," he added.

Suaram's Chang said a textbook to be used by university students on such an important subject must be done in an academic and professional manner.

The book must contain a correct presentation of facts and credible analyses, he added.

Chang suggested that a committee comprising distinguished and experienced academicians should conduct a thorough review of the textbook and come up with proper guidelines for the course.