Historians writing 'inclusive' history of Malaysia seek public support

Historians looking to write an inclusive and comprehensive history of the nation are looking for public support to fund their project, which is aimed at balancing out government issue history textbooks often criticised for its political narrative and underrepresentation of minority groups.

The Inclusive Malaysian History Project (IMHP) is looking to produce six books in total, encompassing a book for the general public and complementary textbooks for Form 1 to Form 5 students.

To this end, RM3 million in public funding is being sought to realise IMHP in the next three to four years.

The breakdown of the budget is as follows:

• RM1 million for the publication of 20,000 copies of the main book, and 7,500 copies each of the Form 1 to Form 5 books (395,000 books in total).
• RM950,000 for the honorarium of two main authors, two consulting editors, and 15 subject matter experts.
• RM300,000 for the wages of two graduate research assistants for three years.
• RM500,000 for travel, transport, and lodging.
• RM300,000 for photocopying and digitsation of reference materials.

"This is for the good for our future generations... We are humbly appealing for public support, whatever anyone can give... We are also looking for major sponsors if any," historian Ranjit Singh Malhi (photo) told Malaysiakini in a recent interview.

"Even if we don't get RM3 million, we will proceed. We will have to cut costs, but the project is on." 

Ranjit has written several history textbooks and holds a PhD in the field. He and former Universiti Malaya History Department head Sivachandralingam Sundara Raja will be the project’s two main writers.

He said all funding will be handled transparently and accountable, with the limited liability partnership set up for the project's accounts being made public for scrutiny.

Describing the project as a labour of love, he also stressed that he and Sivachandralingam are not rewriting history, but "writing the real history of Malaysia."

Sivachandralingam, meanwhile, stressed that their books will stick to the facts.

"Everything will be based on facts, and we will let the facts speak for themselves," he said.

Besides Ranjit and Sivachandralingam, historian Shamsul Amri Baharuddin will be a consulting editor for the project. 

The late Khoo Kay Kim (photo) was previously slated to be a consulting editor for the project prior to his passing.

Ranjit assured that another consulting editor will be appointed, and that together with the subject matter experts, the IMHP will consist of a diverse group representing all Malaysians.

The project will cover themes of Malaysian history from prehistoric times until the present.

Among the major themes covered are:

• Malaysia and its people
• Prehistoric Malaysia and its early history
• The Malacca sultanate and its heirs
• The end of laissez-faire in the Malay world under Portugese and Dutch rule
• The early story of East Malaysia under the Bruneian empire and Sulu sultanate
• The establishment of British North Borneo
• Sarawak under the Brooke dynasty
• Economic Development of Sabah and Sarawak
• British Malaya
• Social and economic development
• Political and constitutional changes 1895-1941
• Japanese occupation
• The road to Merdeka
• Formation of Malaysia
• Modern Malaysia
• Malaysia at a crossroads 2001-2018

Sivachandralingam said subjects such as the May 13 tragedy will also be covered, again based on facts.

Those who wish to support the IMHP can find out more through their Facebook page. - Mkini