The Deception of History: A Call to Reflect and Reclaim

History is a tool often wielded by those in power to shape the minds and narratives of those they seek to control. In the context of Malay history, this truth rings particularly loud. We, as a people, have been deceived by the very history that was meant to guide us. The fondness of the Malay community for looking backward, coupled with a disinterest in critically analysing and looking forward, has left us vulnerable to manipulation first by the British, and now by our own leaders.

From a young age, many of us were conditioned to view the British as benevolent rulers, the Japanese as merciless oppressors, and the communists as ruthless terrorists. This narrative, deeply ingrained in our minds, was not just a story but a carefully crafted strategy to maintain control over us. The British, with their divide-and-rule tactics, ensured that we remained fragmented and weak. They seized our land, implemented policies that divided us along racial lines, and embedded a mindset of inferiority and dependence.

Before independence, all land in Malaya belonged to the Malays. Yet, through colonial policies, much of it was handed over to others, with the British justifying their actions as if it was theirs to give away. This isn’t just history, it’s a lesson in how colonisation continues to affect us. The British didn’t need to research they saw the reality before them: a people too accepting of the stories they were fed, too complacent to question the loss of their heritage.

This colonial legacy extends beyond Malaya. Across the world, colonised nations were subjected to the same tactics decolonised only to be recolonised through economic and political means. The assets of the colonisers remained, their businesses flourished, and the free market was theirs to dominate. We were bound by bolts and nuts, our political system crafted to ensure that we remained tied to the structures left behind by the British. The fear of communism was instilled in us to ensure we clung to democracy, democracy designed by the British to keep us in check.

Policies were put in place to flood our land with foreign populations, to grant land freely, and to divide us along racial and religious lines. Imagine if there was only one political party, if the Malays had full control forever. How did they prevent this? By ensuring that our constitution, our laws, our land, and even our citizenship’s were all bound by agreements that served their interests.

The British never intended to make us equal citizens in their empire. They needed us here, in Malaya, to serve their interests while they focused on their larger colonies in North America, Australia, and Africa. It’s easy to blame the British, but why did we agree to all of this? Why didn’t we insist on temporary land ownership, or at least ensure that if our land was sold, we would benefit financially?

The answer lies in the colonial mindset that was deeply rooted within us. We were not prepared for war, not willing to fight for what was ours. The British knew our weaknesses they negotiated with our rulers, knowing that the key to controlling the Malays was through their leadership. Why was Tunku Abdul Rahman chosen to lead? He was a prince, educated in British institutions, molded to fit their narrative.

To truly understand our history, we must look beyond our shores. Consider the Mongol Empire the largest in the world, spanning Asia and Europe. Today, Mongolia is a poor country. Why? Because they didn’t adapt, they didn’t understand the shift from decolonisation to recolonisation. They tried to rule through force forever, while the West learned to conquer through economic and political means. The nations that were once part of the Mongol Empire fought to reclaim their land, becoming independent countries. The last of these struggles is still unfolding in Palestine.

I’ve read, I’ve analyzed, and I’ve questioned. History was not written for us to know the truth, but to influence and control us. The warning is clear: don’t be lulled into complacency. Recolonisation is happening before our eyes. The Malays are already 50% bound by these colonial legacies. Our task now is to defend what remains and to dismantle the structures that continue to hold us back. The shallow politics we witness in Parliament today is a shameful reflection of our past, a mirror for those who are willing to think, study, and analyse.

In conclusion, let this be a call to action. We must reclaim our history, question the narratives we’ve been fed, and forge a future that is truly ours. The time to wake up is now. The time to think critically, to research, and to analyse is upon us. Our survival, our heritage, and our future depend on it.