COMMENT | In recent years, the claim that Peninsular Malaysia or West Malaysia (formerly Malaya or Tanah Melayu) belongs exclusively to the Malays (‘Malay land’) has gained traction among certain political factions intent on promoting the divisive and self-serving ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ (Malay supremacy) agenda.

This assertion is deeply flawed – historically, constitutionally, and morally. It undermines the spirit of inclusivity enshrined in our Federal Constitution and distorts the richly pluralistic history of our nation.

If left unchallenged, such a narrative risks fostering division and disenfranchising millions of non-Malay citizens whose forebears not only played a vital role in shaping Peninsular Malaysia but also lost their lives in developing its infrastructure due to disease, snake bites, exhaustion and malnutrition.

Peninsular Malaysia’s formation as an independent nation in 1957 was built upon...