KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 -- The MCA has undertaken a project to carry out research and documentation pertaining to the history of early Chinese settlers here, and their contributions to the country.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the measures were necessary, not just as preservation of heritage but also to provide a correct perspective to the nation's historical facts.
Thus, he said, the MCA had assigned a specific bureau headed by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung to lead a team of Chinese scholars and non-governmental organisations to work on the subject.
"History is not just something of the past but it also provides us the necessary enlightenment to spur us on, particularly the younger generation.
"The bureau will ensure that the heritage be properly researched and correctly documented," he told reporters after a memorial ceremony to commemorate the death of Kuala Lumpur founder Kapitan Yap Ah Loy here today.
Upon completion, the transport minister said, the works might be published online or printed as books for the benefit of locals and foreigners who were interested in Malaysian history.
He said the findings could also serve as a tool to educate the people, especially the younger generation, on their history and heritage.
Citing Yap as example, Ong said the man's contributions should be regarded as national heritage and not just heritage for a particular community.
"It is not just meant for documentation but the information must be shared as a common heritage for all Malaysians, not as a communal heritage owned by a certain ethnic clan only," he added.
Meanwhile, the MCA chief said a new Chinese primary school in the Klang Valley would be named after Kapitan Yap Ah Loy.
Ong said MCA would also follow up with the education ministry on the review of the history subject contents where it was said that some of the historical facts about the Chinese were distorted.
-- BERNAMA
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