COMMENT | History is not merely a record of significant past events; it is the collective memory of a nation - the repository of its struggles, achievements, values, and aspirations.

In a plural society such as Malaysia, history plays an especially critical role in shaping national identity, fostering mutual respect, and cultivating a shared sense of belonging.

When history is told truthfully and inclusively, it strengthens patriotism and unity. When it is selective, distorted, or exclusionary, it fractures society and undermines trust between communities.

History should reflect what truly happened, not what we wish had happened. It must be told with intellectual honesty and grounded firmly in evidence.

A mature nation does not fear historical complexity. Rather...