PBS: have more details about formation of M’sia in textbooks

KOTA KINABALU: School history textbooks must include more details about the formation of Malaysia so that students get a better understanding of the country, says Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS).

Party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili (pic) said the formation of Malaysia should be taught in greater detail but many key facts were not included in the current textbooks.

He said knowledge about the formation of Malaysia should include information on the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee (MSCC), Cobbold Commission Report, and the 20Point and 18Point safeguards or special rights for Sabah and Sarawak respectively.

Also important are the InterGovernmental Committee (IGC) and their recommendations, which led to the establishment of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Unfortunately, these facts are compressed to a chapter, probably less, and limited to just a few pages in the school history books,” he said.

“And as a result, students and even civil servants are not fully informed of the facts regarding (Malaysia’s) formation.

“They become ignorant of the sacrifices of the Sabahans and Sarawakians and what the leaders from east Malaysia had to go through during the process towards the birth of Malaysia,” Dr Ongkili, who is Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, said.

Dr Ongkili, who is carrying out the duties of PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who announced plans to retire from active politics, said PBS would set up a working committee to study the important facts about the formation of Malaysia which needs to be included in the textbooks.

Comprising scholars, lawyers and educators, the committee will propose to the Education Ministry for a revision of the syllabus on the history of Malaysia’s formation.

He said that the party was also providing facts on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 at the ongoing PBS Leadership and Management Seminar so that members fully understood the events.

With the lack of information on the formation of Malaysia, students and even the people are turning to blogs, which along with the Opposition often twist the facts, Dr Ongkili added.