Veterans say no to recognising communists in textbooks

They say the communists tortured and killed Malaysian soldiers, and it is inappropriate to include them in history books.

A soldier reenacts Ops Iblis 1971 at the 2018 Warriors Day celebration at Dataran Pahlawan Negara. (Bernama pic)

PUTRAJAYA: Veterans have hit out at the suggestion that the depiction of communists in history textbooks be revisited, saying any form of recognition for them would be an insult to those who had fought for the country’s independence.

Brig-Gen (Rtd) Jamil Rais Abdullah said many of the country’s warriors were killed or injured during the fight against the communists, especially during the emergency between 1948 and 1960.

“We feel the loss. Many of my friends were killed. I cannot accept giving recognition to the communists and including its movement in our history textbooks. It is not appropriate and can hurt the feelings of the country’s fighters and warriors.

“We put our lives at stake and fought hard because it is our passion to protect the country’s sovereignty,” he told reporters after a parade in conjunction with the 2018 Warriors Day at Dataran Pahlawan Negara here yesterday.

Jamil was among the soldiers involved in Ops Iblis in 1971, in the forest of Ulu Kinta Perak.

The operation was launched by the Malaysian 2nd Infantry Brigade following the discovery of communist insurgents in the Korbu Forest, Sungai Siput and Tanah Hitam, Perak, on May 31, 1971.

Its mission was to destroy the 5th Assault Unit of the communist movement which had made the areas in Bukit Berapit, Air Kala, Kinta Forest Reserve and Slim River, Perak, their base of operations.

Jamil’s comments followed a forum titled “Should We Rewrite Our History Books?” which discussed the communists’ role as independence fighters and whether the government should change the narrative of history during the Malayan Emergency.

At the forum, some of the panellists urged the Pakatan Harapan government to re-evaluate the history textbooks and include other facts on left-wing issues and personalities, among others.

Capt (Rtd) Azmi Abdul Hamid, who was also involved in Ops Iblis 1971, said efforts to give recognition to the communists would confuse the people, especially the younger generation.

“I don’t agree (with recognising the communists). It is too much,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lt Col (Rtd) Harbans Singh said the communist insurgents had tortured and killed Malaysian soldiers.

Citing the Gubir incident in 1976, he said: “They disfigured our soldiers and cut the penis of one officer. How can we recognise the communists?

“Any suggestion to include facts on the communists in our history textbooks should be rejected by all quarters,” he added. - FMT