The naivet of half-cooked patriotism knows no bounds. A reader wrote in to the NST , questioning why Malaysian students should study English literature. Why, he wondered, should our children not study Malaysian literature instead?

The obvious problem is with the very existence of anything that we can recognise as Malaysian literature. Obviously, there is a body of Malay literature, especially that promoted by the Dewan Pustaka dan Bahasa. All the Chinese newspapers give plenty of space for aspiring writers to develop their talents. I am sure the Indian community also have some literary activity. But do we have a Malaysian literature - for all Malaysians?

Strangely enough, the most robust English dailies have done little to encourage literary creativity in English. Does it mean that there is no market for it, and that English educated Malaysians of all races are simply not interested in literature?