Controversial novel ‘Pantai Kasih’ will still be used, says Education Ministry

The novel "Pantai Kasih" will still be used as a literature component for Form Four students in Malacca, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. Deputy Director-General of Education (Policy) Datuk Seri Khairil Awang said this was the unanimous decision made at a meeting with the Education Ministry on January 28. He said the ministry had held a series of meetings with lecturers, teachers, assessment panels, language and literature activists to discuss the novel by Azmah Nordin. "The discussions concluded that the novel could be taught from the aspects of language, vocabulary, and grammar. This novel can also encourage students to think in a matured and rational manner," he told a media conference in Putrajaya today. The novel had been a hot topic of discussion on social media as it is said to be obscene and painted a negative image of relations between doctors and nurses. Khairil said the text was full of humanitarian issues which could be discussed and analysed. He said every book selected as a literature component text goes through a stringent screening and selection process. The Education Ministry had set up a committee for this purpose, consisting people of various races and communities, with expert knowledge in the field of education, language and literature, religion, psychology and counselling and anthropology, he added. The panel also comprised representatives from non-governmental organisations and media lecturers, he said. According to Khairil, this is the second year "Pantai Kasih" was being used as a literature text book for Form Four. Besides "Pantai Kasih", three other novels have been selected as literature text books for Form Four students according to states – "Jendela Menghadap Jalan" for Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak;  "Leftenan Adnan Wira Bangsa" for Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Negri Sembilan; and "Di  Sebalik Dinara" for  Johor, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan. – Bernama, February 12, 2016.]]>