On books and culture,
Malaysian complain that books are too expensive. Instead of seeing this as a problem we should look at it as opportunity and a niche. Instead of the government pumping money to subsidise books (though I support tax rebate for buying books however the money shouldn't tax in the first place. When money goes to the government then comes back to you some of it is lost because of postage and administration cost so it actually a waste). This is what they should do take some of the money and use it as loan money to set two or three competing press. This press will print books by local authors and university professors. I am sure because it is locally printed and the cost of living and wage demands of the professors are so much lower it would be easier to produce textbooks that are cheaper for the local undergraduate.
Given the choice I think people would prefer to own an original rather than photostated copies of the originals if the original is only marginally more expensive. The competition between presses will ensure they get the best writers and offer value for money to the consumer and since it is a loan it will ensure the people taking it will work hard as they have to repay the government. And why is that so because it is a potentially lucrative business that require quite a large capital. I would prefer to have it raised in the market but then again Malaysians aren't exactly informed investors and quite risk averse. So if government intervention is needed it is here but then again it is limited. It basically involves loaning the money and asking it back and the rest of the of the time the government can shove it.
How sure are you Guo Jeng that it will work? Well if you look at Sasbadi, Preston, Pelangi, and Fajar Bakti..you will realise that these guys produced books that have virtually displaced government sanctioned textbooks even the teachers don't use the official textbook anymore..it is only used as a reference as to what the syllabus is. And why is this? This is because these books are better. Another reason why there should be less government intervention. People always choose the best for themselves and do not need the government to tell what to buy. They should scrap the official textbooks and just publish booklets as to what is needs to be convered for the exams. Save money for everyone. The only losers are the cronies with the government contracts.
I just wonder why don't they publish textbooks for the local undergraduate. It is something they can go into? Is it there is no market? Or do the undergraduates only read powerpoint presentations of their lecturers which is plagiarise from some western textbook?
But this globalization isn't it? Easy access to foreign textbooks and knowledge. Where is the complaint about cultural imperialism? Superior cultures deserve to subjugate inferior ones. In fact inferior ones should be discarded and the best of superior ones minus their weaknesses be absorbed. There is no such thing as traditional culture that is essential to identity. Look at Japanese and Korean culture absorbing Chinese culture to the environment and needs. It doesn't make their culture any less unique or original. In fact they have expanded and improve on certain aspects and in turn it has influenced the mainland. Defending inferior cultures because it is traditional is for the feeble. Though what constitute superior culture wshould be vigourously debated and not be dictated and it only in the arguments and debates that weaknesses and strenght can be identified.