Contrary to what Nasir Safar, now a former special assistant to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, said at a 1Malaysia forum in Malacca the other day, the Indians did not first come to the Malay Peninsula as beggars, but conquerors.

Bewildered?

The Chola Dynasty in southern India attacked and invaded Kedah from Kalinga in 1023. This particular conquest was considered by the Cholas as one of their greatest achievements.

lembah bujang ancient port 030209 In those early days, Kedah was known to the Indians as Kadaram (or Kedaram), which means “sceptre”, commonly used by Hindu priests and warriors during ceremonies. This was partly because the first Hindu temple had been built at the foot of Gunung Jerai in Lembah Bujang, an area rich with archaeological finds dating from more than 1,000 years ago.

This is not surprising given that the valley was among the oldest entrepôts in Southeast Asia - preceding even the much acclaimed Malacca – with the “Kadaramese” actively pursuing trade links with the Arabs and the Indians across the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom was established in Lembah Bujang as early as 300AD.

While much of the Malaysian population appears to be oblivious of this historical fact (or choose to ignore it), it has not lost on Sanusi Junid, a former Menteri Besar of Kedah, who acknowledged at an academic conference in December 2004 that Malaysia’s history was shaped by the Indian Ocean, which “brought Indian culture here more than two thousand years ago”.

Sanusi is a Kedahan of Acehnese origin, and it is commendable that he takes history in a more honest manner than Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, another native son of Kedah who finds India’s historical connections with the Peninsula rather unpalatable, refusing to even admit to his part-Indian lineage.

Most ironic of all, the name ‘Mahathir’ stands for ‘Maha Dheer’, which is the Sanskrit word for ‘the most gallant’!

Distorting history for political purposes

No doubt, many lives were lost and cultures destroyed throughout this period of incessant conflicts and wars. A hot-blooded Malay nationalist may hence consider the Cholas as imperialists and argue the Malays must stand united to ensure there would be no repeat of this historical fate. But the truth remains that the modern-day Malaysia cannot move forward as nation if its people continue to distort history for political purposes.

chinese traditions 300607 dragon As for the Chinese, they came mostly as traders, with some settling into the local communities and becoming a unique ethnic group known as Babas and Nyonyas, or peranakan.

While vices – from gambling and opium to the inhuman ‘flesh trade’ – found their way into Malayan society following the influx of migrant workers from China, the majority of the Chinese in the late 19th and early 20th centuries still were largely labourers and businesspeople.

Some say referring to Chinese women of this period as “prostitutes” is insulting. I beg to differ.

Sex workers, as I ardently believe, are in most cases victims of an unjust socio-economic structure, and the majority of them are forced into the trade.

To me, a caring and loving sex worker is far more respectable than a devious politician who swindles public monies in the name of national/ethnic interest.

I know my grandmother did not come to Malaya to sell her body but to be with her husband and to raise their children, but I do not discount the fact that there were some who indeed did so out of economic desperation.

Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur does not just symbolize the industriousness and resilience of the Chinese in this country; it also reflects the painful history of the Chinese community as it used to be an enclave for opium, sex and organised crime. Don’t forget, any nation’s history is a mixed bag of tears, blood and laughter, replete with moments of pride as well as of shame.

But should we then generalise a particular chapter while suppressing other more defining aspects that shape the history of Malaysia, as Nasir has done?

Take history in its entirety

I often argue one must take history in its entirety, instead of mixing, matching or diluting according to one’s whims and fancies.

While some have come to Nasir’s defence and said that his words were taken out of context, I tend to think otherwise judging from the furious reaction from the floor.

As we all know, BN component parties are habitually subservient to Umno, with many of their leaders treating right-hand men of successive prime ministers as royal emissaries. That MIC and MCA members present at the forum had the guts to stage a walkout speaks volume of the excesses in Nasir’s speech.

I am not so much disturbed or concerned by Nasir’s comments as others. After all, he is just a minion serving the interests of his political master. What he uttered was not a gaffe; rather, his views are quite likely shared by many in the Malay-dominated civil service.

These people are products of the controversial Biro Tata Negara, and have been fed with a racist ideology that does not in the long term engender a people of hope, courage and tolerance, but of fear, jealousy and even hatred. Just look at how the Umno-controlled media has been reporting on some vitally important national issues.

Given such a social milieu, why should we be surprised that Najib cannot even convince those around him of his 1Malaysia vision? I am more worried how this mindset can be shifted without entailing severe social costs.

JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.