The role played by non-Malays in the fight for independence must never go unrecognised, says former deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
He said non-Malay police officers were particularly pivotal in efforts to contain the communist insurgency during the 12-year Malayan Emergency, which began in 1948.
Malaya gained independence from Britain in August 1957.
“Many Chinese (police) officers sacrificed their lives by infiltrating communist cells to obtain intelligence,” he told FMT.
“We have to recognise the contributions of other races (apart from Malays) in achieving independence,” he added.
Respect contributions from all communities
Ayob said there was a need to appreciate and respect the contributions of the non-Malay community.
Having served in several senior positions, including as director of Bukit Aman’s counter-terrorism division before being appointed deputy IGP, Ayob said he had seen first-hand what people from different backgrounds could achieve in pursuit of a common cause.
“I had Chinese and Indian Christians in my counter-terrorism division. And (despite their racial and religious differences) they never harboured any prejudices,” he said.
However, he lamented that the sense of togetherness had waned, particularly among young Malaysians.
Education and racial divisions
Ayob said children were increasingly being separated into different education streams from kindergarten through university, making it harder for the country’s plural society to grow up together.
“When we were young, Chinese, Indians and Malays were together. Now, from kindergarten to primary school, secondary school and university, they are separated.”
He said such trends could result in society becoming more divided along racial lines, adding that if left to fester, the country would face “many problems”.
Peace must not be taken for granted
However, Ayob, who recently retired after 35 years in the police force, said Malaysia had remained largely peaceful despite its multiracial and multi-religious population, with conflicts occurring only sporadically.
But he said such peace should not be taken for granted.
“We have to defend and preserve the independence and peace we have, bridge the gaps between races and religions, and ensure that we continue moving forward together,” he added.
