KOTA KINABALU – Assoc Prof Bilcher Bala, who is on the federal panel that reviews secondary school history textbooks, has issued an apology to fellow historian Ranjit Singh Malhi, saying he mistakenly linked the latter to the Integrated Secondary School Curriculum (KBSM) syllabus.
Bilcher told The Vibes that he wrongly attributed Ranjit as a panel member involved in the crafting of the syllabus of previous history textbooks.
However, he reiterated his stand that propaganda should be kept out of these books, and that the previous KBSM syllabus left out many important points in relation to Sabah and Sarawak’s roles in Malaysia’s history.
“I may have overlooked details, and have therefore apologised to Ranjit over my comments. I have noted that he was not part of the panel that reviewed the syllabus for the previous history textbook.”
Two days ago, Ranjit told The Vibes that he was never a member of any review panel related to history textbooks for use in secondary schools, as alleged by Bilcher.
“Neither was I involved in any revision of the KBSM syllabus. He must have mistaken me for someone else. Hence, it is only fit and proper that Bilcher apologise to me for these erroneous statements, which have far-reaching implications and have put me in a bad light.”
He was referring to an article, titled “Propaganda should be kept out of history textbooks, says expert”, published on April 17.
Bilcher recently called on Ranjit after the latter said the new syllabus for history textbooks used by Forms 1 to 5 students is centred around Malays and Islam, excludes key facts pertaining to nation-building, and contains distorted and exaggerated information.
Ranjit was reported as saying youth are not being taught the “real” and “inclusive” history of Malaysia, but fed a narrative that is selective and skewed towards establishing Islamic and Malay dominance based on the divisive “Ketuanan Melayu” concept.
Bilcher is noted for his review of Sabah and Sarawak history in the National Secondary School Standard Curriculum (KSSM), and has been actively involved in discussions on the two states’ roles in the establishment of Malaysia. – The Vibes, April 21, 2021
