I have just started reading Chin Peng's memoirs and feel considerable admiration for him.

However, I am also glad he did not win the war or we would have been under communist rule and living in poverty.

While reading it, one thought struck me as it would many readers: what would Malaya have been like if the communists did take over? I am using the word Malaya because it is unlikely there would be a Malaysia without more wars.

A communist Malaya would also see harmony and equality amongst the various races because it is based upon ideology, not racial considerations. Theoretically, the political system would be superior to our existing system which is based upon race.

Most of the important decisions for the past few decades have been based upon one predominant group exerting its power upon the minority groups and threatening them if they disagree. This has resulted in the May 1969 and lesser incidents since.

The failure of communism lies in its flawed economic policy and its inability to comprehend the changing aspirations of individuals when confronted with opportunities and wealth. This dealt a death blow to communism in the world. China is remarkable in its ability to see it and change with the times until it is only a communist government in name.

I think that reading the book will help all Malaysians to understand more about our history, without the propaganda that prevails in written history books.

It will help us understand the close partnership between the Chinese and Malays in ultimately bringing about Independence without the shedding of blood because that blood had been shed earlier by the Chinese and Malay communists whose aim was to rid themselves of British rule: same aim but different routes.

I believe it will help the Malays, Chinese and Indians to understand each other better that there was a time when they stood side by side to fight for independence against a common enemy.

It will also make us feel ashamed and petty that we have lost the lofty ideals that we once held when blood flowed and lives were lost to achieve this Independence.