I refer to your report Mustapa: 'Historical facts' in varsity textbook .

Higher Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed's comments that historical facts were used in making the ethnic relations textbook for higher education institutes is misleading and probably also misguided.

What seems apparent from the book is that the Suqiu organisation, the Indian youths of Kampung Medan and the DAP bear all the responsibility for the poor ethnic relations in this country. There is no mention of bumiputera involvement in any racial tensions. The bumiputeras are made to look as if they are always right. It is made to look that the non-bumiputeras are consistently to be blamed for any ethnic clashes in this country.

The contribution of the non-bumiputeras are gradually being brushed aside and being made irrelevant. The comments in this textbook will do no good for inter-ethnic relations as non- bumiputeras are made to look as if they are troublemakers and 'extremists'. It is an unfair and provocative to label the non-bumiputera in this way.

The higher education minister must withdraw this book and replace it with one containing more accurate historical facts outlining the contributions of the various races towards independence and the nation's economic well-being.

Please look at the positives and remove the sensitivities. A textbook like this is likely to cause trouble in any campus as some students may react differently when his race is noted as 'extremist' or 'troublemaker'. Unnecessary comparisons can create a nasty and unsavoury situation.

There are better ways to write a book on ethnic relations. Our historians can collude to establish what is the best approach for this. The facts cannot be misinterpreted and a committee comprising members of the different races should be included when compiling such a textbook. They will then address any sensitivity that arises.

This will also show how good ethnic relations are used practically in compiling a textbook to further promote ethnic relations. This is then in the true spirit of 'muhibbah'. At the final stage, a cabinet nod shall be required for release of this textbook.

Further to this, efforts should be made from an earlier stage to inculcate better ethnic relations in the formative years of all Malaysians. The focus should be on history and moral education for better racial harmony and ethnic relations.

Also, please stop all bashing of non-bumiputeras in any form as this is very mischievous besides misleading our youths.