The sacrifices and contributions of non-Malays in the struggle for Malaya’s independence should never be overlooked, former deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said.
He highlighted the role of non-Malay police personnel, particularly Chinese officers, in the fight against communist insurgents during the 12-year Malayan Emergency, which began in 1948.
“Many Chinese police officers sacrificed their lives by infiltrating communist cells to obtain intelligence,” he told FMT.
Ayob stressed that the nation’s independence was shaped by the contributions of people from different communities, making it important to recognise their role in the country’s history.
His experience in the police force, including leading Bukit Aman’s counter-terrorism division before becoming deputy IGP, also gave him first-hand exposure to the importance of teamwork across racial and religious backgrounds.
“I had Chinese and Indian Christians in my counter-terrorism division. And despite their racial and religious differences, they never harboured any prejudices,” he said.
However, Ayob expressed concern that the sense of unity he experienced in his younger years appears to have weakened, particularly among younger Malaysians.
He pointed to the separation of children into different education streams from kindergarten through university as one factor that could make it harder for Malaysians from different backgrounds to build strong bonds.
“When we were young, Chinese, Indians and Malays were together. Now, from kindergarten to primary school, secondary school and university, they are separated,” he said.
Ayob warned that continued separation could contribute to greater racial divisions and create wider problems for the country if the issue is allowed to persist.
Despite his concerns, the former police officer, who recently retired after 35 years of service, noted that Malaysia has largely maintained peace despite being a multiracial and multi-religious nation.
He said conflicts between communities had generally been sporadic, but Malaysians should not become complacent about the peace and stability enjoyed by the country.
“We have to defend and preserve the independence and peace we have, bridge the gaps between races and religions, and ensure that we continue moving forward together,” he said.
His remarks come as Malaysia continues to reflect on the sacrifices made by different communities in the journey towards independence, while efforts to strengthen national unity remain an important part of the country’s future.
