Malaysia’s History Must Represent Facts, Not Dictated By West - PM Anwar

MELAKA, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's history must represent the facts, based on research and what Malaysians should know, not dictated by the West, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 

In this regard, Anwar said the reconstruction of Malaysian history was important, asserting that it should not be written by the colonial master.

"For the past many, many years, I remember as far back as 1961, one of our notable sociologists, Professor Hussein Al-Attas, wrote a very pertinent piece in the Asian Historians Conference, that he wants to be truthful to our country, our legacy, our history must not be dictated by our colonial masters.

“Our history must not be subjugated as written about slaves in this country. We had a civilisation, we had an opportunity to be a major trading partner,” he said when officiating Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) in Klebang here tonight.

Also present were the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

The Prime Minister said that the education sector must also play its role in constructing the history of Malaysia, emphasising that this should be achieved through independent research, using the history of Melaka as a key reference point to understand the vibrancy of the nation's culture, including its tourism.

“Melaka is not a normal tourist destination. It is unique in the Malay archipelago with its history of the great Muslim Malay sultanate, where Muslim rule was established,” he said.

“Attracting trade and investments from as far as Venice, Spain, and Portugal, it became one of the great cosmopolitan and trading centres in the world, as written by notable historians,” he added.

The Prime Minister also assured Ab Rauf of the federal government’s full support for his ongoing mission to correct historical narratives over the past few years.

“So thank you, Chief Minister, for continuing this effort; you have all the support of the federal government.

Anwar also lauded Melaka's exceptional prowess in hosting the launch of VM2026, describing the state's performance as a testament to its collective spirit and historical significance.

Meanwhile, he noted that the country’s tourism sector was not solely focused on culture and the arts, but also served as a key driver of economic growth and a symbol of national unity.

He noted that food and beverages played a major role in attracting tourists, as they reflected Malaysia’s diversity.

“Tourism is linked to the economy, to the rejuvenation of culture and the arts, to unity, and to culinary activities that showcase diversity,” he said.

-- BERNAMA