Recently, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had urged the ministry to correct some content in the textbooks that he claimed glorified communists as independence fighters.
He claimed this was intentionally done by PH when in government to “sow the seeds” of a “Malaysian Malaysia” ideology.
The ministry, however, said the publication of the Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Menengah (KSSM) history textbook was based on the Standard Curriculum and Assessment Document (DKSP) and the ministry’s standard operating procedure on textbook publication updated in 2018.
“KSSM Form 4 history textbook has complied with all publication processes to ensure the quality of the textbook, including factual accuracy,” it said in a statement today.
The ministry said the process of publishing the textbook had undergone a strict quality control process including content mapping, manuscript writing and approval of sample copy, among others.
It said the process involved a panel of experts and various evaluation committees before being approved for publication and distribution. For example, the review panel consists of seven historians from various specialisations and races.
“The education ministry also obtains confirmation of historical facts and content from government agencies such as the National Archives, National Museum, Malaysian Historical Society, Election Commission and State Secretary,” it said.
Meanwhile, former education minister Maszlee Malik also slammed Asyraf over his claims.
Maszlee told Asyraf to do his research before making such accusations. The Simpang Renggam MP said Asyraf could have chosen to seek clarification from the education ministry directly or any of the experts involved in compiling the contents of the textbook.
Former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching also said PH was never involved in the review process of school textbooks, saying it had left the job to professionals.
Teo said the review of the curriculum and textbooks had started in 2017, involving historians, public university lecturers, history teachers and curriculum officers from the panel of history curriculum experts and history textbooks.