Interlok
Encyclopedia
Interlok is a 1971 Malay language
novel
written by Malaysian national laureate Abdullah Hussain
. The novel was included in the syllabus for the Malay Literature subject as compulsory reading for students in Form 5 (Secondary 5) in schools throughout Malaysia. Interlok caused a controversy when detractors claim that the novel contained derogatory words to describe Malaysian Indians, such as "pariah" and "black people". The largest Malaysian Indian political party, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), demanded that the novel be removed from the school syllabus.
in the early 1900s during the colonisation of Britain over Malaya
. The story is told from the point of view of three main characters, namely, Seman, Chin Huat and Maniam. The title of the book derived its name from the English word "interlock" which corresponds with the interlocking of the lives of the three main characters of the novel in the final chapter.
, were arrested by the Malaysian police after putting up posters demanding that the novel be banned.
Interlok was defended by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim
and a scholar Awang Sariyan, who said that "the National Laureate had based his work on the social reality of the era depicted in the novel." Both Anwar Ibrahim and Awang Sariyan claim that they did not think that the novel contained anything racist.
The author Abdullah Hussain defended his work and himself claiming that he did not intend to offend the Indian community; that his work has been misunderstood; and that he had actually intended to describe the unity of the three major ethnic groups in Peninsula Malaysia, namely, the Malays
, Chinese
and Indians.
The controversy regarding the novel stems from the usage of the term kasta pariah ("pariah
caste"), which often refers to persons from the lowest caste in the Indian caste system.
Interlok was withdrawn from the school syllabus on January 15, 2011 following a discussion between the Education Ministry of Malaysia and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. However, this decision was reversed on January 28, 2011 following a discussion between Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, MIC president G. Palanivel and MIC deputy president S. Subramaniam
and deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin
. The latest decision effectively retains Interlok as part of the syllabus in Malaysian schools but amendments were to be made to parts of the novel which were deemed too sensitive to the Indian community.
On February 27, 2011, a demonstration was held and organised by HINDRAF protesting against the inclusion of the novel in the school curriculum in Kuala Lumpur
. The police arrested 109 protesters for allegedly taking part in an illegal demonstration.
The education ministry agreed to review and make amendments to interlok by having 8 member independent panellist. On 16 march 2011, all the 8 member of the panel agreed and came up with 100 amendments before the book can be made suitable for the students to read. During a meeting with the deputy prime minister who is also the education minister, the minister have said that 100 amendments was too much and that it should be reduced. After the meeting with the deputy prime minister 3 out of the 8 panellist quit from the panel as they felt betrayed.
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by Malaysian national laureate Abdullah Hussain
Abdullah Hussain
Datuk Abdullah Hussain is a Malaysian novelist and writer. He received the Malaysian National Laureate in 1996 which makes him the 8th recipient of the award.-Early years:Hussain was born on 25 March 1920 in Sungai Limau Dalam, Yan, Kedah...
. The novel was included in the syllabus for the Malay Literature subject as compulsory reading for students in Form 5 (Secondary 5) in schools throughout Malaysia. Interlok caused a controversy when detractors claim that the novel contained derogatory words to describe Malaysian Indians, such as "pariah" and "black people". The largest Malaysian Indian political party, the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), demanded that the novel be removed from the school syllabus.
Plot summary
The story in the novel was set in PenangPenang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
in the early 1900s during the colonisation of Britain over Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
. The story is told from the point of view of three main characters, namely, Seman, Chin Huat and Maniam. The title of the book derived its name from the English word "interlock" which corresponds with the interlocking of the lives of the three main characters of the novel in the final chapter.
Controversy
On January 20, 2011, 9 men, believed to be members of HINDRAFHINDRAF
HINDRAF or Hindu Rights Action Force ; Chinese:兴权 with its slogan of People's Power மக்கள் சக்தி ) began as a coalition of 30 Hindu non-governmental organizations committed to the preservation of Hindu community rights and heritage in a multiracial Malaysia...
, were arrested by the Malaysian police after putting up posters demanding that the novel be banned.
Interlok was defended by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar bin Ibrahim is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998. Early in his career, Anwar was a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad but subsequently emerged as the most prominent critic of Mahathir's government.In 1999, he was sentenced...
and a scholar Awang Sariyan, who said that "the National Laureate had based his work on the social reality of the era depicted in the novel." Both Anwar Ibrahim and Awang Sariyan claim that they did not think that the novel contained anything racist.
The author Abdullah Hussain defended his work and himself claiming that he did not intend to offend the Indian community; that his work has been misunderstood; and that he had actually intended to describe the unity of the three major ethnic groups in Peninsula Malaysia, namely, the Malays
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
, Chinese
Malaysian Chinese
Malaysian Chinese is a Malaysian of Chinese origin. Most are descendants of Chinese who arrived between the fifteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Within Malaysia, they are usually simply referred to as "Chinese" in all languages. The term Chinese Malaysian is also sometimes used to refer to...
and Indians.
The controversy regarding the novel stems from the usage of the term kasta pariah ("pariah
Pariah
Pariah may refer to:* A member of the Paraiyar caste in Indian society* Pariah state, a country whose behavior is out of line with international norms-Science and mathematics:* Pariah dog, a type of semi-feral dog...
caste"), which often refers to persons from the lowest caste in the Indian caste system.
Interlok was withdrawn from the school syllabus on January 15, 2011 following a discussion between the Education Ministry of Malaysia and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. However, this decision was reversed on January 28, 2011 following a discussion between Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, MIC president G. Palanivel and MIC deputy president S. Subramaniam
S. Subramaniam
S. Subramaniam here refers to the former deputy president of the Malaysian Indian Congress. For the government cabinet minister of the same name, see Subramaniam SathasivamDato' Subramaniam Sinniah or S...
and deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin
Muhyiddin Yassin
Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin is a Malaysian politician and the current Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. He is also the Deputy President of the United Malays National Organisation , the main component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.Muhyiddin grew up in the state...
. The latest decision effectively retains Interlok as part of the syllabus in Malaysian schools but amendments were to be made to parts of the novel which were deemed too sensitive to the Indian community.
On February 27, 2011, a demonstration was held and organised by HINDRAF protesting against the inclusion of the novel in the school curriculum in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
. The police arrested 109 protesters for allegedly taking part in an illegal demonstration.
The education ministry agreed to review and make amendments to interlok by having 8 member independent panellist. On 16 march 2011, all the 8 member of the panel agreed and came up with 100 amendments before the book can be made suitable for the students to read. During a meeting with the deputy prime minister who is also the education minister, the minister have said that 100 amendments was too much and that it should be reduced. After the meeting with the deputy prime minister 3 out of the 8 panellist quit from the panel as they felt betrayed.