KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 ― Although Carcosa is no longer the sanctum sanctorum that it was during colonial times, I was still pleasantly surprised to take part in a forum there titled "Can We Retell the Malaysian History from Below?”. This was held in conjunction with the Jalan Merdeka Exhibition.

On a personal note, Carcosa is not new to me. As a young kid, I have seen many letters and testimonials bearing the word Carcosa hanging in my father’s tailorshop. He was a craftsman whose workmanship had won him many customers from the top echelons of the British administration from the 40s to the 60s.

This exhibition on the road to independence is supported by some corporations. With financial resources, the organisers have been able to do a good job in the presentation, painstakingly done.

It was a pleasant walk, meandering through the building, with photographs of the personalities involved, newspaper accounts and some historical documents. Vivid images of the old days are captured. There is also a short video of the Japanese invasion of Malaya.

More important is the substance. It is said that "History belongs to the victors”. Not surprisingly, key personalities like Dato Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman are featured in their negotiations with the British and various important events.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (left) visits the Jalan Merdeka exhibition at Carcosa. On the right is head curator of the exhibition Tunku Zain Al’Abidin Tuanku Muhkriz. — Bernama pic

However, this exhibition does not give a one-sided view. It is rare that people like Ibrahim Yaacob, Dr Burhannudin Helmi and Ahmad Boestaman are given some credit for their role in the anti-colonial movement. Even the photograph of Chin Peng, the leader of the MCP, is there. It was not so recently that the government had tried to erase the memory of him by not allowing his remains to be brought back into this country, despite the fact that he launched an armed revolution against British colonialism.

One part I find missing is some information on the Peoples Constitutional Proposals presented by the AMCJA-PUTERA coalition in July 1947. This was really a milestone in Malaysian history.

The coalition represented a broad spectrum of people, and the provisions in the document were debated and agreed upon by organisations and people of diverse political, economic and social creeds publicly. It was not an agreement hatched in secrecy by elite groups.

The proposals could have laid the foundation for inter-ethnic cooperation and a more united and democratic country. It might be relevant to lay out the key principles in the proposals:

― All persons born in Malaya should be automatically be given "Melayu” citizenship and were to renounce their citizenship rights in any other country. This was in contrast to the recommendation of the government’s proposal that the citizens of the new Federation need not renounce their citizenship rights in any other country.

― For persons who were not born in Malaya, they could be admitted to "Melayu” citizenship provided: they were of good character, had resided in Malaya for eight out of the previous 10 years; that they pass a simple test in the Malay language; and that they swear an oath of allegiance to Malaya.

― All citizens should possess equal right and opportunities in the political, economic, educational and cultural spheres regardless of race, creed, colour or sex.

― The Malay language should be the sole official language in the country. However, the usage of other languages would be permitted.

― For the first nine years, not less than 55 per cent of the representatives in the central legislature should be representatives of the Malay race.

― Singapore should be incorporated into the Federation of Malaya.

― All members of the legislature should be elected by the citizens of the country.

― Members of the executive should be elected by the legislature from among its own members.

― There should be a Council of Races with powers to delay any legislation for three years if it considered that the legislation had racial implications.

― The Malay religion and customs should be under the control of institutions set up by the Malays.

― The Malay Rulers should be retained as constitutional monarchs.

It is inspirational to recall how progressive and forward looking the leaders and members of these organisations were. That was 70 years ago, when people were supposedly much more compartmentalised in their economic, political and social lives.

The leaders made very concerted efforts to draw diverse groups together with a clear vision to create a Malayan nation. The history and political development of this country may have taken a completely different and positive direction if the Peoples Constitutional Proposals had been accepted as the foundation of the new nation.

While an exhibition cannot encompasses everything, it is worthwhile to head out to Carcosa for a better understanding of the events at that critical juncture in our nation’s history.

* Dr Khong Kim Hoong is Deputy Vice Chancellor of HELP University.

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.