Politicians Rewriting History To Suit Their Narrative

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YOURSAY | ’We, as citizens, own Malaysia and nobody can deny us that right.’
COMMENT | Does Peninsular Malaysia belong exclusively to the Malays?
Libra: Thank you, independent historian Ranjit Singh Malhi, for the excellent historical perspective. Sadly, the pages of history never seem to be seen in schools.
Let me give a different perspective on the issue.
When one race is given everything--privileges, priority in education, scholarships, housing, civil service employment, investment and so on, eventually, would they not think differently and confirm their status quo?
Therein lies the problem. They will want it all--ketuanan and the ego rise, like Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, they fight to sustain their status quo.
They don’t want the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd) to be signed.
The interpretation of the constitution and everything else would be different, as per their reasoning.
The correction can only come with awareness that privileges are not god given--a short-term measure taken for granted and assumed for life.
But nature is a wonder, and it will do the correction eventually.
KNSamy: A timely article, as the nation seems to be besieged by the current sentiment of a few Malay activists who claim that Malaysia belongs only to the Malays!
I feel that our education system, which has made history a compulsory subject at the SPM level, has designed its history curriculum in such a way that it looks as though the whole nation was built and developed only by the Malays, and all others came and settled here only by 'invitation'.
We are hearing these new 'historical facts' about Malaysia almost daily.
The Malacca Islamic Religious Council and Malacca Museum Corporation (Perzim) was recently directed to find out if the 'A Famosa' fort was built at the site of the 'Masjid Agung' in Malacca.
Politicians are rewriting history for their ends, and our History Professors in our public universities dare not speak up on such matters.
A few of them have joined the politicians to give 'new avenues' to placate these politicians.
In this scenario, you seem to be the only one clinging to factual history in Malaysia! Please continue to speak up!
Milshah: If I were to fully unpack this topic, it would span chapters—perhaps even a book. But allow me to share the essence of what weighs heavily on my mind.
If someone genuinely considers themselves to be Malaysian, then they should embrace and reflect the identity, values, and foundational agreements that define our nation.
Take, for instance, the national language, Bahasa Malaysia. When two lecturers proposed that Bahasa Malaysia be made the official language of Asean, the backlash was swift.
One would expect pride, not protest. How can we call ourselves Malaysians if we reject our language on the regional stage?
The same applies when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) enforced laws requiring Bahasa Malaysia on signboards. Rather than seeing this as a reinforcement of our national identity, it sparked an uproar.
Calls were made for multiple languages to take precedence—an attitude that dilutes the position of our national language, legally and symbolically.
Where is the love for the language that binds us? Religion, too, has become a point of contention.
Islam is the official religion of the Federation, as enshrined in the Constitution.
When Jakim proposed halal certification for non-Malay owned restaurants to ease concerns for Muslim consumers, it became yet another controversy.
What was meant to foster inclusivity instead became another source of division.
Education is no different. When discussions arise about having a single national school system to build unity, resistance surfaces—vernacular schools must remain, we're told. Is this truly the path to unity?
Article 153, which safeguards the special position of Malays and bumiputeras, was another target, especially when foreign nations like the US began to question it.
Instead of defending a sovereign principle enshrined in our Constitution, many Malaysians echoed foreign sentiments.
Even in economic matters, such as the imposition of US tariffs that would hurt our nation’s economy, we see people supporting the foreign stance over national interest.
Our national language, our religion, our social contract - these are not new inventions.
These were agreed upon by the founding fathers of Malaysia from all communities. They form the very foundation of Malaysia as Malaysia.
Yet increasingly, the tone and attitude suggest a rejection of these foundations. If so, then the uncomfortable question arises: Do we truly want Malaysia?
LimeSinga1592 @Milshah: Yes, but your interpretation is flawed.
Many more speak Bahasa Indonesia (using your logic for Malaysia) in Southeast Asia, though it is localised to Indonesia.
Even that can be contested as Indonesian is not broadly spoken in the rest of SEA. The closest I can think of is English or Mandarin.
I have great pride in Bahasa Malaysia as the national language, but most of us are rational people as to the limits of its usage beyond Malaysia and Brunei.
Iamnotarobot: I think the rakyat and especially academicians must start to file cases against people who belittle our Constitution.
Our Constitution is perfect as it is.
I think those who spread false information beyond what is said in the Constitution must be viewed as a threat to the nation and treated as such.
This must happen soon, as postponing action could jeopardise the unity between races and religions.
World Citizen: This is a very interesting and informative article. This is what our history lessons taught us in those years.
This history has been completely erased and altered now, and children these days are fed with untruths and pure garbage.
A nation that forgets and tries to hide its true history does not belong to the community of civilised nations.
The Americans don't hide their disgraceful history of slavery, but have documented it and talk about it every day.
Anonymous_4020: The shareholder of this country has a blue identity card. Racists can claim whatever they want, but in reality, one identity card equals one vote.
We, as citizens own Malaysia and nobody can deny us that right. Case closed - Mkini

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