Photo: Free Malaysia Today
Comic books seem pretty innocent, but not this one.
The “Inisiatif Jalur dan Jalan Meraih Manfaat Bersama” comic is something that people are making noise over. If you are wondering why, it’s because the contents of the comics idolise China and paint an inaccurate perception about the Muslim community. The books also promote racial insensitivity - a highly sensitive topic.
Photo: Ministry of Education
Last Thursday, the Ministry of Education (MoE), said that they never approved the distribution of those comic books to any educational institutions. In their statement, the ministry said, “The respective State Education Departments and District Education Offices have been ordered to ensure that all schools do not accept and distribute the comic books from any party or supplier.”
“MoE will also work together to obtain a review by the Home Ministry on the security aspects pertaining to public sensitivities and foreign relations,” they added.
On Wednesday, former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had asked Education Minister Maszlee Malik if his ministry had allowed for the comic books to be distributed to schools.
One enraged Twitter user also questioned the need for such books, and asked how the ministry could have overlooked the distribution of such content in national schools. He asked if this was propaganda and provocation, and said that the government needed to take stern action against such tactics.
What are your thoughts on this?
By: Celestine Foo
