‘No changes to book’: Writer reveals otherwise

PETALING JAYA: Kavyan Writers Association president Uthaya Sankar SB today debunked the National Writers Federation’s (Gapena) resolution that not a single word can be removed from the controversial Interlok novel.

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He pointed out that amendments were done to the circumstances surrounding the death of one character in the novel, known as Malini.

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He said the student edition did not explain the cause of death but the 2003 edition, page 325, revealed that Malini committed suicide by hanging herself from a star fruit tree.

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A quote from the book reads:

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“Saya tak sangka dia mahu mengambil keputusan serupa itu, tuan guru,” kata Perumal dalam esakannya.

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“Dia sudah bersetuju walaupun pada mula-mula dia membantah dengan keras…. Saya menjumpainya tergantung di bawah pokok belimbing di belakang dapur.” Perumal terus menangis kembali.

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(“I did not expect her to make such a decision, teacher,” Perumal said in between sobs. “She had agreed though she was strongly against it initially… I found her hanging under the star fruit tree behind the kitchen.” Perumal continued to cry.)

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The 2010 student edition, page 284, however posed an open question on how Malini died.

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“Malini meninggal dunia,” kata perempuan itu dengan sedih. Raman terhenti daripada berjalan.

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“Saya tak sangka dia meninggalkan saya, tuan guru,” kata Perumal dalam esakannya.

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(Malini died, the woman said with sadness. Raman stopped walking. I did not expect that she would leave me, teacher, said Perumal in between sobs.)

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In the student edition, Malini’s death was related to Raman by another character and confirmed by Perumal. The cause of death was not mentioned.

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Interlok, the Form Five Malay literary component for Bahasa Malaysia, landed in the limelight after Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, T Murugiah called for the book to be removed.

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Critics, including MIC, claimed that the book contained inaccurate information about the Indian community and used derogatory terms pertaining to caste.

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However, Gapena supported the use of the book in schools.

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(K Pragalath, FreeMalaysiaToday, 18 Januari 2011. Sila KLIK DI SINI untuk membaca kenyataan media lengkap.)