KUALA LUMPUR: Authors and artists should be given space in their works and not subject to restrictions, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said critical thinking is vital in nation building and as such, limitations in expressing their views freely, including on aspects such as politics, culture, society, and history, would only hinder their works.
"Their works can't be measured in a confined manner, or their capabilities would feel curbed.
"Similarly, I have told (Education Minister) Fadhlina Sidek and the higher education minister that we want the students in schools and universities to learn, which also means training them to have critical thinking," he said in his speech at the launch of the national seminar on the publication of books in Bahasa Melayu national seminar at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) today.
Meanwhile, Anwar said, the authorities must adopt wisdom and patience in this regard.
He also cited Penang's boria that was once a form of entertainment that was not only known for its lively music, but was filled with critical messages about the society and politics.
However, the traditional entertainment became "boring" when it was used as a tool for propaganda, he said.
He also raised concern over the declining of the reading culture due to the emergence of new social norms and technology, which he said had been around for a long time, even when he was the education minister.
Merely giving children books was not enough to inculcate the reading habit, he said.
"We should adopt the classical way (of engaging children) by getting them to review the content of the book, drawing them to read and have a deep love for knowledge."
