Malayan Independence - Separating Myth And Reality.
Please read the following speech/advice/sermonizing/tirade by DPM Najib and then we'll discuss.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Thursday ticked off the young post-Merdeka generation who were not really appreciative of the country's history, especially the struggle for independence to the extent some had easily become influenced by western liberal ideology. He said that if this continued, sooner or later they would no longer be able to appreciate the sufferings and sacrifices of the past generations which enabled them to enjoy the freedom they now had.
"For them, the country's history from being an occupied land to become a prosperous country, was just a tale, or an academic subject for examination purposes or for mere general knowledge.
"They do not understand how difficult it was for us to make one step after another to develop the country from being a poor and backward country to a country with dignity, and one admired by other developing countries," he said when opening the Prime Struggles Towards Independence Exhibition at the Tun Razak Memorial, here.
Najib said that they also were not aware that the racial unity and harmony that existed today did not just happen by themselves, but as a result of careful planning by the government to establish powersharing and fair distribution of wealth among all races. Hence, he said some of the younger generation today had been drawn to liberal ideology propagated by the west, and then questioned the country's policies and laws, as though these laws and policies curtailed their freedom.
"So certain parties arise demanding flexibilities and the repeal of various laws in the name of freedom even though it is these laws and regulations that have so far ensured our country remains stable, prosperous and safe," he stressed.
Najib said this happened because of the lack of understanding and appreciation of the country's history when in fact history was not just merely stories of the past, but contained lessons and knowledge needed to build a successful nation. He said through history, the good things could be made examples and emulated and past mistakes could be avoided from recurring.
**** How long more are politicians going to squeeze and milk the 'struggle for independence' story? Most of the pre-Merdeka generation are already dead,dying or demented. The ones who talk are either propagating a myth or perpetuating hearsay. Najib for example was only 4-5 years old in 1957! Yet they talk as if they were there and 'sacrificed' personally.
A good and honest historian will tell you that after the debilitating effects of World War Two on the British and the near fatal blows inflicted on their confidence and resolve by the Indian independence movement, they did not have the stomach for a repeat of this scenario in other parts of their Empire. Therefore they were more inclined to 'release' these areas from the colonial yoke. A free Malaya therefore was a natural progression in their line of thinking for easy independence sans violence and bloodshed. Thus we were granted independence through negotiation and bargaining. Nothing more nothing less.
Having said that I do agree that the younger generation should appreciate the leaders of all the races who put aside narrow racial sentiments, looked at the bigger picture and eased the path to an incident-free independence. This same advice by Najib should also be applicable to the politicians of today who play the racial card on the drop of a one sen coin and he should strongly urge them not to endanger the ethnic unity that provided the lubricant for a non-violent independence.
I would not be wrong if I state that it is the present-day BN (read Umno) politician who is the biggest danger to racial unity in Malaysia.
Anyone would like to comment on that?
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Thursday ticked off the young post-Merdeka generation who were not really appreciative of the country's history, especially the struggle for independence to the extent some had easily become influenced by western liberal ideology. He said that if this continued, sooner or later they would no longer be able to appreciate the sufferings and sacrifices of the past generations which enabled them to enjoy the freedom they now had.
"For them, the country's history from being an occupied land to become a prosperous country, was just a tale, or an academic subject for examination purposes or for mere general knowledge.
"They do not understand how difficult it was for us to make one step after another to develop the country from being a poor and backward country to a country with dignity, and one admired by other developing countries," he said when opening the Prime Struggles Towards Independence Exhibition at the Tun Razak Memorial, here.
Najib said that they also were not aware that the racial unity and harmony that existed today did not just happen by themselves, but as a result of careful planning by the government to establish powersharing and fair distribution of wealth among all races. Hence, he said some of the younger generation today had been drawn to liberal ideology propagated by the west, and then questioned the country's policies and laws, as though these laws and policies curtailed their freedom.
"So certain parties arise demanding flexibilities and the repeal of various laws in the name of freedom even though it is these laws and regulations that have so far ensured our country remains stable, prosperous and safe," he stressed.
Najib said this happened because of the lack of understanding and appreciation of the country's history when in fact history was not just merely stories of the past, but contained lessons and knowledge needed to build a successful nation. He said through history, the good things could be made examples and emulated and past mistakes could be avoided from recurring.
**** How long more are politicians going to squeeze and milk the 'struggle for independence' story? Most of the pre-Merdeka generation are already dead,dying or demented. The ones who talk are either propagating a myth or perpetuating hearsay. Najib for example was only 4-5 years old in 1957! Yet they talk as if they were there and 'sacrificed' personally.
A good and honest historian will tell you that after the debilitating effects of World War Two on the British and the near fatal blows inflicted on their confidence and resolve by the Indian independence movement, they did not have the stomach for a repeat of this scenario in other parts of their Empire. Therefore they were more inclined to 'release' these areas from the colonial yoke. A free Malaya therefore was a natural progression in their line of thinking for easy independence sans violence and bloodshed. Thus we were granted independence through negotiation and bargaining. Nothing more nothing less.
Having said that I do agree that the younger generation should appreciate the leaders of all the races who put aside narrow racial sentiments, looked at the bigger picture and eased the path to an incident-free independence. This same advice by Najib should also be applicable to the politicians of today who play the racial card on the drop of a one sen coin and he should strongly urge them not to endanger the ethnic unity that provided the lubricant for a non-violent independence.
I would not be wrong if I state that it is the present-day BN (read Umno) politician who is the biggest danger to racial unity in Malaysia.
Anyone would like to comment on that?
posted by The Malaysian. at 8/18/2006 10:42:00 AM
3 Comments:
Well said hamkachan, well said.
"Race card" was well used by BN, esp big brother UMNO -- witness th display of the "keris" as the symbol of "ketuanan Melayu" by UMNO Youth chief Hishamuddin Hussein. But he has good teachers from a decade or 2 ago, didn't he?
So how do we proceed from here,nering 49th birthday?
May I suggest more Malaysians respond to ADIL call and give PKR a chance; also former DPM Anwar Ibrahim a chance to "reform" the UMNO system which he had tasted the bitterness of the past 7 years...
It's UMNO baru and BN who corrupted the minds of the Malaysian, of course, greed, clinging on to power, abusive of powers. History is no more an important subject in school. They knew nothing of Malayan Union. We should not be proud of our Independence, because the British are cheatrs, the American are gangnters. Wherever the Americans step their feet, there's always war. But the British, when there's no more natural resources to be plundered, Malaysia for instance, downfall of rubber and tin, no more benefit to them. Should they know about petroleum in Trengganu, then it would be another story. In Africa, no more gold and diamonds. 2) They did succeded in corrupting the minds of the Monarchy, ruling class, until now, the ideology of the settlers still prevail. 3) We are not free, no freedom of speech, controlled media, freedom of press, cannot voice our grievances, ISA, and all sorts of unhealthy policy. 4) History is important to sow the seed of nationalism. But it seems a threat to UMNO and BN if people knows history. 5) Unlike MCA, UMNO only enriched their family and cronies, the Malays getting robbed and poorer. Malay reserves, forrest reserves, family land plundered fericously due to greed, Tun Mataik the plunderer, and the legacy followed by his successor. The Malays flattened. 'HUJAN BATU DI NEGERI SENDIRI'
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