I meant to, but never got around to commenting on our Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's view that " Malaysian youths must be exposed to more local literature that highlight noble values like respect and responsibility".
He said that “Reading high-quality literature needs to be encouraged because it is the best way to inculcate the culture of knowledge and instill positive values in our youths.”
(Of course, reading is ALL about gaining knowledge and instilling positive values. Of COURSE!!)
"Schools and higher learning institutions should introduce more award-winning literature," he said at the 18th HSPM prize-giving, an eveny organised, annually, by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka to reward outstanding Bahasa Malaysia writers.
The Minister should have added, since he was at a DBP event, that the organisation should not let high quality literature go out of print. He should have then pointed out that Yusof Gajah's picture book Gajah Sejati has been out of print for years despite having won the Gran Prix at the Noma Concours Awards for Picture Books in 1997. A shame, really, since I believe it actually does "highlight" some "noble" values ... although perhaps not specifically respect and responsibility.
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