Stop viewing Unesco proposal through racist lens

Stop viewing Unesco proposal through racist lens

Published: Feb 14, 2024 7:00 AM


YOURSAY | 'Does Umno, PN want to wipe out history of non-Malays' contribution towards nation?'

Researcher: Unesco bid for Chinese new villages will preserve history


Bobby0: Why does everything have to be about race? If the Chinese new villages, are a part of our history and can be gazetted by Unesco as historical sites, then why not?

People travel the world to unique buildings for a glimpse of the past.

The gazetting of the Chinese new villages will bring in tourists. This in turn will benefit the nation as a whole. So why the racist uproar?

Does Umno or Perikatan Nasional want to wipe out the history concerning the contribution and sacrifices of the non-Malays towards the nation?

That seems to be slowly happening and can be seen by what is written in our history books.

Are they trying to pick a fight just to bolster their political chances with their own race?

Whatever their motives, you cannot wipe out the contributions of the non-Malays towards this nation.

There is enough evidence and manuscripts stored in the various museums of the world. So let us work together to find ways to lift this nation higher.

Fair Play: Indeed how irrational, in specific circumstances, Malaysians see the truth.

In sports, particularly badminton, if a Malaysian wins the Olympic single men's badminton gold medal, it is a win for Malaysia.

It doesn't matter who this Malaysian is - Malay, Chinese, Indian or even “imported” from another country.

But when it comes to culture, the heritage of the different races and the historical truth and fact that led to the formation of our sovereign nation, that is where the politicians start to squabble - to no end.

After over 60 years of nationhood, the politicians are still at it.

The irony is that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently made a public statement that he wanted the nation to gain respect again from other countries.

How is that going to happen when the politicians start to quibble -like pampered kids?

Apa Harapan: Chinese new villages are a part of history and the largely wooden buildings will fall into disrepair and disappear if not properly preserved for posterity.

Many older Malay kampung houses have suffered from neglect. So don't behave like the dog in the manger.

Use your head and think about national interest, not just Malay interest.

It is indeed a very sad state of affairs when politicians become so petty and almost everything is seen through racial or religious lenses.

Anon 93751028: Instead of being negative about every proposal and framing each one in a racial context, please look and see what you can offer! I'm so sick of negativity.

If someone is taking the initiative to do this with Chinese new villages, look at the Malay kampung and other areas as mentioned above and work toward a common purpose.

We should celebrate our history, warts and all. If we appreciate it, others will visit and bring extra income.

Travellers to Malaysia want to see the real Malaysia, not some copy-paste version of where they come from.

Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy was in a position to do this and so was Gerakan president Dominic Lau and that extremely annoying Bersatu's Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

We know jolly well that if they get into power again, they will have a different “focus”.

Undecided: Ramasamy pointed out that many other natural and historical sites need to be looked into for the Unesco heritage listing, such as colonial and post-colonial structures as well as national monuments.

Ramasamy is a shadow of what he used to be. Just because he is angry with the DAP leadership, he seems to have lost his sense of dignity trying to turn this into a racial issue, much like Wan Fayhsal.

Chinese new villages are a symbol of the country's unity in its fight against Communism, which preserved the country's democratic system of governance.

Malaysians of all races died defending the country.

I doubt other colonial or post-colonial structures have greater historical significance/interest and a better chance of getting approval from Unesco as a heritage site.

Vent: Every bit of history that can be preserved should rightly be. However, I don’t think the Chinese new villages deserve to be considered because of how they look today.

They have become too gentrified with time. I grew up beside one, so I should know.

But I salute those who worked hard on the listing.

By the same token, why aren't the Malays who oppose the listing working just as hard to include what they consider to be Malay heritage sites?

All that said, the biggest elephant in the room is why truly historical civilization sites like the Bujang Valley aren't getting the listing they deserve.

What is a Chinese new village compared to the imprint of early civilisation on the Malay Peninsula?

The government should be working on the listing, not a community supported by a minister or party. Is it because the antecedents point to a non-Malay Muslim civilisation?

The ketuanan (supremacist) insecurity is so palpable. As for the Kota Gelanggi site, it has been cordoned off.

Maya: It's time we saw reality through a wide-angle lens. Every issue is looked at through a racial and religious narrow vision. This is clearly a political stunt.

Tourists these days look for prized historical perspectives, rather than modern structures.

It's also a good source of education for researchers and the younger generation, who are hard-pressed for evidence-based learning.

Stop playing politics. There seems to be no end to this.