Growth of intellectualism among Muslims in the region should start from breaking free of the 'tok guru' culture, says Singaporean academic Prof Khairudin Aljunied.

Khairudin, an associate professor at National University of Singapore's Department of Malay Studies, explained that the problem does not lie with the 'tok guru' or teacher but rather the students themselves.

"What is the tok guru culture? The problem is not with the tok guru...