MACVA pushes for war memoirs to enter school curriculum

New Straits Times

02-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians remain unaware that the country has endured three wars — and that the sacrifices of its army veterans during these conflicts have been largely omitted from history books and overlooked in the national narrative.
"Very little has been documented about these turbulent chapters of our history, especially the undeclared wars that plagued the country in its early years. Most of the books and articles that exist were written from foreign perspectives," said Captain (Rtd) Dato' Lee Kwang Lock of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
"Our historians and academics — even those from our own universities — are often unaware of the stories and details of these wars," he lamented. "So we took it upon ourselves to collect stories from our veterans, to create awareness."
Despite their pivotal role in safeguarding the nation during the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Communist Insurgency, many of these veterans have faded from public memory. Their sacrifices helped lay the foundation for the peace and stability Malaysia enjoys today — yet their contributions are rarely acknowledged, and remain largely absent from school curricula.
As a result, younger generations grow up with little understanding of the price paid for the freedom they now take for granted.
In an effort to preserve these forgotten stories, the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) has published Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo at War, launched yesterday. The paperback compiles first-hand accounts from Malaysian veterans, offering a rare glimpse into the personal struggles, courage and camaraderie that defined their wartime experiences.
Lee emphasised that the book is more than just a historical record. "It stands as a tribute to the thousands of soldiers and police officers who defended the sovereignty of our nation," he said.
MACVA hopes the book will reach a wider audience — particularly secondary school and university students, who they believe must be taught the realities of Malaysia's wartime history and the sacrifices that shaped the nation.
"We had planned to approach the Ministry of Education to give away copies of our book because the younger generation must be aware," said MACVA president Lt Col (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit. "But there have been hurdles in getting it approved and accepted into the school system."
MACVA's latest publication follows its first book, Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans, launched in March 2020. With each release, the association hopes to fill the historical gaps left in mainstream narratives — and to spark greater public awareness of Malaysia's military past.
There is a growing urgency to ensure that the sacrifices of these veterans are formally recognised. Wong stressed that their stories should not be confined to memoirs alone, but woven into the national education system — so that future generations truly understand the price of peace.