‘Professional body should check history textbooks’

(The Star) – There should be a proper professional body to oversee the writing of history textbooks, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said.

The Government should seriously consider having a panel of historians to ensure that correct facts are included in the history books.

“The body could engage and get input from history experts from universities or societies.

“This would assist us in ensuring that important historical facts would not be left out,” he said after launching an oil palm estate investment scheme here yesterday.

Last Friday, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong highlighted that a SJKC history textbook had omitted MCA’s contribution towards the formation of Malaysia.

Dr Wee said he was told that MCA veteran Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee’s name had been omitted from the textbook.

The textbook showed various Malaysian leaders from the founding Alliance including Umno, Usno, SNAP, SUPP but not MCA and MIC leaders.

Ong said the history textbooks were meant to educate the future generation about the past and important contributions made by past leaders.

“The ministry should rectify this mistake and make sure it is not repeated. Some facts cannot be omitted,” he added.