Education Ministry parliamentary secretary Komala Devi today denied that history textbooks used by secondary students ignored the contributions of other races.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) Kapar MP was responding to questions raised on the matter in the Dewan Rakyat.

She said the ministry had revised the syllabus to make history more appealing to students.

She added the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia passing rate for the subject in 2004 was at 73.9 percent compared to 2003 with 65.4 percent. (The revised edition was published after 2003)

Komala said the ministry decided to revise the syllabus as the subject was perceived to be boring and unimportant by students.

She disclosed that historians, academicians and other parties had been consulted before the revisions were made.

"As I explained, it isn't the government's intention to sideline the contribution of any ethnic group, but it (the revision) was done to allow students to understand the facts easier," she said.

Komala was responding to Loh Seng Kok (BN-Kelana Jaya) who said the new history textbook contained 10 chapters, four more than the previous edition, but had less information and facts.

Historical figures missing

Earlier, Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) questioned the exclusion of certain historical figures such as Yap Ah Loy who founded Kuala Lumpur in the late 1800's from the textbooks.

"Even Chinese leaders ... their role in the Independence negotiations is not in the books," he said, asking Komala if the ministry would look into the possibility of reviewing the syllabus.

Wee also complained about the omission of the Chinese community's resistance to the Japanese occupation.

The MCA Youth secretary-general said it was "stereotypical of certain academicians" to exclude the contributions of other races in the pre-Independence years.

"The role of New Villages in the fight against communist insurgents during the Emergency is expunged from the text books. There is no mention of any Chinese leaders other than Tan Cheng Lock who founded MCA.

"These omissions will create dissatisfaction," he added