PUTRAJAYA, Feb 12 — “Pantai Kasih” is acceptable reading for Form Four students as the book’s sexual elements are still considered mild and “very implicit”, Deputy Director-General of Education (Policy) Datuk Seri Khairil Awang said today.
As such, he said it was decided in a meeting between the ministry and industry professionals last month that the book will continue to be used by students in the third zone, which comprises Malacca, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“Yes, the book has sexual content but it is mild... very implicit… and not as explicit as the ones used in the subject of biology.
“In fact, the novel teaches the young minds to think maturely and rationally while learning the values of respect and bravery,” he told a news conference.
Explaining further, Khairil quoted a line from the novel that said, “terlucut sel daripada genetik istimewa milk Dr Sadiz” and said this was in reference to semen.
“Words used to explain in this context shows how implicit and mild this novel is for the Form Four pupils,” he said.
Khairil added that apart from Pantai Kasih, the three other novels used by Form Four students as BM literature are all designed to enable them to become good thinkers, communicators, caring people.
“Each novel is carefully chosen through a very strict vetting process by a special committee that comprises experts from all races and religions,” he explained.
“Pantai Kasih” is a novel that tells a story of doctors and nurses serving the elite group in a private hospital.
It also depicts the lavish life and the sexual desire doctors have for one another.
The sexual slant to the story caused outrage among parents and other critics who said the book was unsuitable for 16-year-olds.
They also questioned the rationale of having such a novel in the education syllabus.
