The Book City, which the government plans to set up by end of this year, will provide an avenue for publishers and writers to expand the scope and quality of their work, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.The Book City project was proposed back in 2006, and I had several questions and reservations back then. (And I have to point out, splitting semantic hairs, that a single building is hardly a "city" ...) But I do hope that something good comes of this ...
He said that the project, coordinated by the Education Ministry, would also be an avenue for the country's literary fans to enjoy quality books and spur the country's book industry to greater heights.
"We already have a building in Kuala Lumpur which will be turned into a Teachers' Museum and Book City. We will start the project by end of this year at the cost of RM20 million ..."
He said interested parties could rent a space to display their publications at the Book City.
Muhyiddin who is Education Minister, also said that the ministry was carrying out studies to improve literature curriculum in school.
"We are looking into the types of books to be used and for which level. Literature is taught in secondary school and at university level, so we want to coordinate the curriculum so that there will be continuity," he said.
To a question, Muhyiddin said the government normally would not block the entry of literary works from abroad so long as they did not create problems for the readers.
I am also glad that studies are being carried out on the study of literature in schools. Let's hope for some texts the students can really enjoy and plenty of support for teachers. But I'm not too clear what the Muhyiddin means by saying the Ministry plans to coordinate literature studies in schools with those at the universities :
... to ensure the teaching of literature in schools remains relevant to the aspiration to build a nation that is not only progressive, but united and peaceful ...Can, and even should, literature be looked at in these terms?
It's good that a journalist asked about the censorship of foreign books (yes, keep up the pressure!) but what exactly does "as long as they did not create a problem for readers" actually mean? Vague vague vague!!
10 comments:
I'll bet the emphasis will be on "city" and not "book". 99% of the funds will be spent on building renovations. See if I'm wrong.
By the way, have they built a public library in Putrajaya yet?
"... to ensure the teaching of literature in schools remains relevant to the aspiration to build a nation that is not only progressive, but united and peaceful ..."
It's disgraceful when they put limitations on something as beautiful and meaningful as literature this way. I had a dynamic lecturer once when I was in college, who was eventually sacked for being too 'forward' and 'revolutionary' in his teaching methods. I learned more from that man than I did in my entire 11 years of schooling.
It's the government's usual 'premise & quantity-oriented' approach. They must do big exhibitions / fairs where many retailers will come together and be seen together. Number of participants & having VIP-launched events/buildings are more important than the quality & results. Shout out loud only, it's all mainly for their own political campaign. The tsunami election taught them nothing.
Looking at the comments above, yes it's hard not to be cynical. Does Muhyiddin read for example? Well let's see how it goes. Where is it anyway?
As for "as long as they did not create a problem for readers", well maybe books with really small print, like hire purchase agreements should be banned as without a magnifying glass, they would create grave problems for readers.
... to ensure the teaching of literature in schools remains relevant to the aspiration to build a nation that is not only progressive, but united and peaceful ...Whatever happened to subversive literature ... literature that captures the spirit of the times: the corruption, the racial tension, the ugly as well as the beautiful? Art is best cultivated by giving artists a free hand, regardless of what they say.
Sigh.
Hi Sharon, Found this article http://www.openculture.com/2009/05/how_i_sold_my_book_by_giving_it_away.html which gives an interesting perspective of publishing in the web era.
Perhaps Muhyiddin is trying to bodek the National Laureates so they'd stop protesting about PPSMI. Hah.
There used to be a Book Village in Langkawi but look at what happened to it now. All cosmetics and no substance.
ooh you are a cynical lot! maybe this will all turn out brilliantly.
Of course it will turn out brilliantly! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
:-)
- Poppadumdum
Bib, you know exactly what they mean by "as long as they did not create a problem for readers" because you welcome posts "as long as they do not create a problem for your readers" am I right? same concept.
Why should literature NOT be looked at in these terms?
Post a Comment