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The Star,
Wednesday, 16 July 2008 (Letter to the editor)
WHAT NEXT AFTER HERITAGE LISTING BY
UNESCO?
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Georgetown and Malacca are going to hold
a three-day and a month-long celebration respectively to
commemorate their inscription as historical cities under
UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
It is a privilege indeed to have Malacca
and Georgetown, the two historical towns of Malaysia,
finally recognised and listed by UNESCO as world heritage
sites.
The recognition will bring with it many
blessings such as increase tourism and business associated
with it, financial aid from UNESCO in maintenance of these
sites and increased interest in research studies.
However, as we preserve these historical
sites left by our forefathers, do we treasure, appreciate
and preserve also the value and culture of the history that
has brought these sites to what and why they are listed
today?
It is the value of maintaining peace and
harmony among the people of many races, cultures and
religions who lived and worked together at that time that
has made the heritage a rich legacy. It is something
transmitted from the past and handed down by tradition to
us. It is history.
It is meant not only for us to enjoy the
heritage but also to learn and treasure what happened in the
past.
Thus, history is the footprints of our
forefathers that cannot be changed. It is through history
that we learned the lessons and values that have helped us
improve and progress.
As our younger generation learn from past
events, they also develop an understanding of other’s
culture and learn to appreciate one another despite their
differences.
Thus, as we preserve these historical
sites, are we also preserving the history of Malaysia so
that it can serve as a purpose to unite the people and
expose them to a wider world view in order to develop a
broader mindset?
Or, are we leading them to a more narrow
view and nutshell mentality that they might just lose out in
a more competitive world?
I have, together with MCA Education
delegation, presented a paper to the Minister of Education
to request for a review of the history textbook in secondary
school which contains many imbalances, incomprehensive and
prejudice views.
It is indeed timely for the Minister to
do a review as the teaching of history in a wrong way is not
only going to influence and shape the view and mentality of
our future leaders, but also derail the efforts by our
forefathers in preserving peace and harmony that has made
our nation a great one.
Yours truly,
Loh Seng Kok
Ex-Member of Parliament for Kelana
Jaya. |
