Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, the secretary-general of MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) said that 300,000 Chinese or 20% of the population died protecting Malaysia in the past. They died while defending the then Malaya from the Japanese who invaded Malaya in the 1940s. These Chinese had joined the Anti-Japanese Army to fight the Japanese after the British Colonists who were the rulers then, purportedly fled the country. As a result of this sacrifice, the Chinese thus earned their citizenship in Malaysia. The politician had said the citizenhship had been exchanged with courage, blood, sweat and tears for the country after opening the Perak Wanita MCA convention and this was actually in response to remarks made by an Umno division head in Bukit Bendera, Penang, Datuk Ahmad Ismail who said that Chinese in Malaysia are an immigrant race who do not deserve any rights. Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan was really an eyeopener for many people like me who do not know much of the local history especially those about the Chinese contribution to their adopted land. I don't remember reading about things like this in the history books or in magazines and many young Chinese, having been born and bred here must have never thought of themselves as immigrants. That could probably be why many of them were disappointed when Lee Chong Wei, the Malaysian Shuttler, won only a Silver for Badminton in the recent Olympic Games in Beijing, losing the Gold to China's Lin Dan. Knowing History and our roots perhaps, is important and most probably too, have been neglected but enough said... Negative remarks by unknown or little known leaders that stand to create havoc shouldn't be dwelled on... just enjoy this performance by Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan in the 2008 Thomas Cup Tournament from YouTube...
Comments