KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese community contributed significantly to the establishment of an independent and united Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
"The Chinese, together with MCA, played an essential part in forming the Malaysia we see today," said the MCA president during his opening speech at the Malaysian Chinese Symposium 2024 on Sunday morning (Oct 13).
The one-day symposium brought together scholars, historians, and political thinkers to deliberate the Chinese community's role in the fight for independence and envision their future direction.
The event featured the unveiling of important historical documents from the United Kingdom’s National Archives that highlight the Chinese community's input to independence. "These documents demonstrate that the Chinese were not just bystanders but key players in the nation-building effort," he added.
In July, a research team from the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology retrieved these records, some previously classified, from the National Archives in Kew Gardens.
Dr Wee said the Chinese community's efforts should be recognised and honoured appropriately.
The research, according to Dr Wee, spans three critical areas: submissions to the Reid Commission, the memorandum on Chinese education, and the Alliance delegation's trip to London.
The journey, headed by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj with delegates from Umno, MCA, and later MIC, solidified the political unity that was central to Malaya's independence bid.
The role of the late Tan Sri Mohammed Tahir Tan Tong Hye, also known as T.H. Tan, the then secretary-general of the Alliance Party (now Barisan Nasional), was also a focal point.
"The contributions of T.H. Tan and MCA towards the independence negotiations have often been downplayed. This research seeks to correct the narrative, ensuring their rightful place in our nation's history is recognised," he said.
