NATIONAL OUTLOOK

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30214, 20 August 1963, Page 2

NATIONAL OUTLOOK

Task For Malaysia Lack of trust, not only between countries but between the peoples of Malaysia was one of the factors complicating toe forthcoming Federation of Malaysia. Mr M. Yssuf told members of the English Speaking Union at their monthly meeting, field last evening. Mr Yssuf is the president of the Christchurch Malaysian Students;* Association, members of which were guests of the union. He said toe association had been formed by students from the countries that would form Malaysia, to help understanding between them. The Malayan Government had been trying to encourage a national outlook through ’ education, said Mr N. Foo. It was trying to alter the system of education so children of immigrant communities would come to regard Malaya as ’ their homeland. Previously, Chinese children would be sent to a Chinese school. They would be I taught Chinese geography and history and would learn to regard China as their homeland, and Malaya as just the place where they stayed The younger generation needed to be brought to think as one nation, he said. The students were welcomed by the union’s president, Mr J. H. Wakefield. A film showing the life and peoples of Sarawak, one of the Malaysian countries, was shown at the meeting. Photographed by the Malayan Film Unit, the film showed many aspects of life in the “land of river and jungle, romance and legend.” The life of the country Is lived mainly on its network of rivers and tributaries. Industries include toe production of rubber, sago, timber, and pepper. Though traditional ways of life are still largely followed, many modem improvements in agriculture, living standards and health services are being introduced.