A DAP lawmaker today expressed concern over a “model paper” published in a SPM reference book that had essay topics on racial conflicts between Chinese and Malays, and even portraying the Chinese community in a bad light.
The book is called “Kertas Model Sebenar SPM Bahasa Malaysia”, authored by Khairudiin Ayip and Yusanizan Shafie.
However, Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told the Dewan Rakyat the ministry would be powerless to rectify the problem if the publication was private and did not 
come from the ministry.
“We hope this did not come from the ministry. If it is from a private publisher, it is beyond the scope of the ministry,” Muhyiddin said.
Ling described Muhyiddin’s statement as irresponsible.
“Any SPM reference book, even if it is a private publisher, must be supervised by the Education Department,” he said.
In the topic for the modern essay, the author stated that vernacular schools breed a racial divide from a young age, and asking students to write about communities who are “enemies”.
Sir, wld u still b so liberal & display such hands-off, lackadaisical, slothful attitude assuming d case is vice versa – if Malays r portrayed negatively?! U r our DPM . Sad to say, ur view is so prejudiced. U mean private educational publications r at liberty to carry seditious contents? Flabbergasting joke!! 1 Malaysia shd not just remain as slogans; It shd b seen in deeds. What u say is ludicrous & devoid of justice. Where is d nation heading to?!
It warrants action under the Print and Publication Act. Why the elegant silence on the part of Education Ministry. Where is the DG and his Ministers?.