Speech by M.Kula Segaran at the DAP "Say No to Interlok ceramah" held at Karak, Pahang on Sunday, 19^th June 2011:

Round table conference on blue print for Tamil schools

MIC has accepted Pakatan Rakyat's invitation to attend the June 27 Round Table Conference on Tamil schools.

Interlok is a novel which was written by national laureate Abdullah Hussin in 1971.

The novel is now used as a literature text for SPM students at zone two, namely Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, PutraJaya and Negeri Sembilian.

There is a general uproar on the usage of the novel because the novel has factual mistakes and mocks and ridicules the different races of our country.

The novel's continued usage will erode and jeopardize our racial unity.

It is irresponsible and illogical for the BN government not to do what is so obviously right.

Hence, DAP and Pakatan Rakyat will continue to demand that the government withdraw the novel from the schools.

We will also make this issue a major election issue if the BN government refuses to listen to the voices of objections against the novel's continued usage.

Presently, of the 523 Tamil schools in the country only 152 are fully aided schools and the balance 371 are partially aided schools.

Yet 54 years after Merdeka, the Education Ministry has not got a well accepted blue print for Tamil schools.

Two days ago, I announced that Pakatan Rakyat will hold a round table Conference on Tamil schools on June 27 at Parliament House, Kuala Lumpur. The event will be to chart a blue print for the future of Tamil schools.

I am pleased to note that our invitation to MIC to send two representatives to this very important event has been accepted. MIC President Senator Palanivel has confirmed that two MIC deputy ministers, YB Devamany and YB Sarawana will represent the MIC at the Conference.

Tamil Foundation, the main forerunner NGO on Tamil schools has also confirmed their attendance.

We hope the round table Conference will come up with a blue print which will chart a new future for the Tamil schools.

* M. Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for Ipoh Barat