Independence and history

31st August is the day that Malaysians celebrate their Independence day. Then there is also 16 September where both Sabah and Sarawak is honored to join Malaysia.

The history books thought in schools states stories tbat led to the independence of this country from the British.

I remembered having reading my brother's history textbook in 1977/78. There the history books related the fight for independence from both the left and right 'wings'. It was a dark blue book. The stories told in the current batch of schoolbooks nowadays only speak of the struggle for independence from 1946. What transpired beforehand was not told.

Now, from my point of view history is what had happened, from all sides. While the saying that 'History is rewritten by the victor' may be true in a war torn country, our struggle was not really a revolting revolution. While it is true that blood was spilled during the infamous Birch execution and arising in Kelantan and Pahang, the 20th century struggle was much more 'diplomatic'and 'peaceful'.

Every Merdeka we see patriotic movies shown on television. Recent developments in the political ground sees an outspoken opposition figure commenting on the Bukit Kepong incident and the mass media condemning this. From a certain perpspective, his views maybe true, although personally, I don't see eye to eye with that.

What I wish to see is that our history are told in the proper manner. Credits to be given where they are due. Glorifying a single party as if they're the sole entity that has ensured the independence is wrong.

I also remembered during the days where our first prime minister joined a 'splinter' political party called semangat 46, the then late deputy prime minister from Malacca condemned him.... In his politically laced speech on one by-election in Ampang, he said that while is was true that the Tunku went to London for the negotiations, this DPM also stated that he could not afford to go there as he was only a schoolteacher then.

Here in Malaysia, everything that can be politicized will be politicized....

As the days grow nearer to the next General Election, so will the intensity of politicking from both divides.

Let's not have our history be written to be biased to a single group of people as this county belongs to all citizens.

The young generation must know the true history however painful it had happened

My kids are told not to entirely take what is written in their text books, but to have a broad mindset, a more liberal way of thinking.

At the very least, that would be my contribution for them....

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