Hishamuddin Rais, Writer
This writer describes himself as an NGI - Non Governmental Individual. Also widely regarded as a political analyst.

Should the young know who is Tun Sri Lanang, A.Samad Ismail, Usman Awang, Victor Hugo, Tagore, Lu Xun or Tolstoy?

Albert Khor, 22, Glasgow, UK
"Appreciation of art and history is good but I think our school system is promoting the opposite by placing too much importance in science and technology. Students who are not inclined in those are left out indiscriminately."

Daphne, 21, Johor
"I know only Usman Awang, Victor Hugo, Tagore, Lu Xun or Tolstoy. Yes, the young should know all of them, but not just for the sake of examination. We are ignorant to the meaning of their great literature because the teachers are ignorant too. When the quality of teachers is below average, where do you expect the students to gain knowledge of these great literatures?"

Jessica Kan, 22, Kuala Lumpur
"Definitely. Literature is an art."

Yong Chen Wei, 20, Nottingham, UK
"Of course they should. But are we encouraged to? No."

Aimee Lee
"OF COURSE THEY SHOULD. The problem is most of them don't, that's another thing that should be changed in school."

Adeline Mei Yen Chang, 18, Klang
"Yes, literature should be encouraged as it is somewhat a guide to life.

"Sometimes, it isn't the young who are ignorant. It's the inavailability of books. Good books are generally expensive for the young with limited money, and the state of our country's library is shameful. Building more libraries and stocking more good books would be a good start. "

Tiffany Heah, late 20s, Kuala Lumpur
"Yes and it should be taught in school."

Benjamin Yau, 15
"Youths should know the people listed as they are great writers who have expressed their views and thoughts about nations, and thus playing a role in improving countries. The young should make them as examples."

Jack Tung, 17
"Only if necessary."

Sandra Tan
"You lost me right after Tun Sri Lanang. I would think that it is important for us to know who they are and what they did that makes them worth knowing but it wouldn't be necessary to know every single detail of their lives like where they were born or who their children were."