Academics and social activists have plans to set up a people's history centre to preserve memories of the struggle for independence from British rule.

This ambitious project, to be based in Kuala Lumpur, will involve the collection of documents, records and materials relating to the people's independence movement in Malaya and Singapore.

NONE Former political detainee and Barisan Sosialist leader Poh Soo Kai ( left ), a member of the pro-tem committee, said much of the history of the struggles has focused on the role of the political elite.

"We want to focus on the role of the common people - students, squatters, farmers, fishermen, and workers, whose role has been much neglected," he said.

"Have you heard of Willie Kuok, the English-educated Straits Times journalist, who gave his life to this struggle? How much do we and the younger generation know of Hamid Tuah? Or the squatters at Tasek Utara or the massacre at Batang Kali?"

"How much do we know of the hartal (general strike) organised by the Chambers of Commerce and Tan Cheng Lock? These are just the few of the personalities and events which have been sidelined or ignored in official accounts.”

Poh, who was a pioneer member of the People's Action Party, said it is the historic duty of those still alive to create such a centre that focuses on the popular struggle.

The recent publication of the ‘Fajar Generation ’ followed by the ‘ May 13 Generation ’ is testimony to the rich social history that exists, and there is an urgent need to preserve this for posterity.

"The project will involve the cooperation of social activists, academic and scholars from both territories. We are in the process of organising a group of such people to undertake the project," he said.

Other members of the pro-tem committee include Senator and former PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali and Tan Kim Hong, a historian living in Penang.

Public help sought

Poh urged the public to help the group revive the popular struggle as the basis of a renewed effort to achieve a national identity and integration.

"We appeal for any historical materials in private possession (for dissemination) to a wider audience, as well as generous donations to make the centre a reality," he said.

He said a board of directors, comprising of academics and social activists, will be formed shortly and the project will be officially registered.

This will be followed by recruitment of staff, lease of a building and the opening of a bank account.