Remembering the Fall of Malaya
AHMAD TAJUDDIN MOHD SAID05 Mar 2022 06:31pm
The National Monument is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. (Source: 123rf)
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Those were the words of Almarhum Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, the Sultan of Selangor, in January 1941, knowing that war was inevitable and coming to Malaya. Preparations for war were made, and the rest was history.
Eighty years ago, on Feb 15, 1942, 1715 hours, Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival, British Army Commander of Malaya, met the Japanese generals to discuss surrender.
At 1810 hours, the surrender was officially signed and made effective at 2030 hours the same evening.
A day before the surrender, Lieutenant Adnan Saidi and his men fought valiantly to defend their military post. Many more were killed since the invasion began on 8 Dec 1941. The locals were part of the young Malay Regiment (the Malay Regiment was raised in 1932), volunteer corps and auxiliary units. For these men and women, they would rather die standing than live on their knees.
Many famous battles were fought during the 70-day campaign over Malaya and Singapore. Among them the battle of Kota Bharu, Jitra, Kampar, Slim River, Muar and Bukit Chandu. Also, not to forget the various air raids and the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse at the East Coast of Kuantan.
Eight years is a long time. It went through several generations.
It is no surprise that the younger generation does not talk much about World War Two.
We would appreciate the complex formulation to prepare for battles through a deeper understanding of military history. It helps us understand the physical and mental aspects of combat. It also inspires us on leadership, comradeship, bravery and even the meaning of betrayal.
Our minds could also imagine the fear, anger, bloodlust, and ugliness of battlefields. Reflecting on the past truly inspires and motivates us through this challenging pandemic period.
Few local military history communities put effort to commemorate the invasion and fall of Malaya. Such effort should be supported not just by the government but also the public. This effort is in tandem with the spirit of the Defence White Paper, which highlights the need to raise the patriotism of Malaysians at all levels of society.
Present and future generations need to understand why such events occurred in the past.
The World War Two stories should not just be written in books and shown on the silver screen but also lived in our hearts.
We could not have achieved what we have today without our elders' ultimate sacrifices. Those who went through World War Two in Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak have given us their blood, toil, tears and sweat.
Never forget.
Ahmad Tajuddin Mohd Said is from Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security, Defence Ministry.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
