Comment: Nothing wrong with books on SBY

Feb. 1, Online

National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh says there is nothing wrong with the publication and distribution of books on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to junior high schools in Tegal regency, Central Java.
The government will not withdraw the series of 10 books on the President because there was nothing wrong with the mechanism or procedures used in their procurement, Nuh said Tuesday as quoted by kompas.com.
“They are not forbidden books.
Are we still in an era when a book can just be withdrawn? If students can read books about presidents of other countries, why can’t they read books about their own president?” Nuh said after he was received by Yudhoyono at his office.

Your comments:

Yes, there is absolutely nothing wrong with writing books.
Since I was young, my teacher always pushed the students to write papers and books. It is certainly a very good habit.
The problem is, if the book is written by a leader and becomes mandatory for the people.
Robby Kaware
Jakarta

It is not the books or who wrote them or what they are about. It is the fact that state funds were used for their publication and distribution at schools that is the issue.
It is a corrupt action, trying to brainwash young children! If the books are for sale at a bookstore, that is a different matter.
But publishing and distributing them for free at schools is unacceptable. If National Education Minister Muhammad Nuh does not see that this is wrong, he should not be the political head of the National Education Ministry. This is against freedom of choice! In fact, what is wrong with distributing the books at schools is all about what the people of Egypt object to as the urgent basis for governance change!
Henry Manoe
Kupang

Whoever thought up the idea to write these books and put them in school libraries, overlooked one important thing — kids don’t read books about politicians. If the idea was to present Yudhoyono as a “hero” — whoever is responsible for them, didn’t do their research.
If you ask a kid (in fact if you can ask most people) to name their hero — they will usually name someone who is perceived as having done something for them. In other words, they nominate someone they know in person or by reputation who has made them happy.
With kids this will normally be a pop star, a film star or a sportsman.
I suspect this scheme is yet again another “good idea” thought up by someone or, if we accept the explanation of the national education minister, it was a spontaneous initiative from the local government and related schools with a view to improving students’ knowledge (pretty vague and highly optimistic), the fact remains that it shows a grasp of reality that is divorced from the facts. Kids don’t read books about politicians.
Phillip Turnbull
Serpong, Banten
 
Books are one of many ways for the author to share knowledge. So long as the aim of the book is good to be read, and the government also has recommended it as being OK, so let that book be read.
Setio
Samarinda
Books are made to be read. Books are not to be judged by their covers.
But if books are made during the regime of a person, these books are subject to doubt and anxiety.
Natan
Semarang