Literary Freedom and the Need to Inter-logue

Neil Khor,Mohd Khaldun Malek

doi:10.37052/ml.24(2)no2

Abstract

This commentary piece is based upon an article published in Malaysiakini 1 and the reactions that resulted from it. The article is not a literary appraisal of the novel. It is an attempt to understand the ensuing controversy and plead for literary freedom. It is not the writer’s place to decide whether the novel is suitable as classroom material but this piece explains the special qualities of literary work and the ethnic politics in Malaysia that is the real casus belli for the controversy. Keywords : Interlok , ethnic politics, controversial literary work, school textbook

Highlights

This commentary piece is based upon an article published in Malaysiakini[1] and the reactions that resulted from it
Always been accompanied by controversy. This is largely to do with the fact that great literary works often challenges the way we look at things, and forces us to reconsider the way we look at the world
Literary works cannot be free of controversy as a novel is a concentrated piece of work derived from the writer’s lived experience; it can at times be “inaccurate” or “too broadly-based”

Summary

New Life as School Textbook

For more than four decades, the novel lived a quiet life. All that changed when the novel was selected to be a school textbook and began Interlok’s controversial life. To fit into the reading capacity of Malaysian high school students, the novel had to be “edited” to a suitable length This was to be the beginning of a slippery and controversial path. When an ethnic Indian-Malaysian parent found certain passages in Interlok insulting, a complaint was lodged with the Education Ministry.[5] This complaint was based on passagges in the novel being insensitve. This is reflected in the opinions expressed in various blogs and digital publications. It is the same with the word “pariah”, which has entered into the English language from the caste system of South India with all the negative connotations intact.[9]

Debate on Literary Work

Reflections about the Controversy

Conclusion