YOURSAY ‘Abdul Hamid’s statement is not seditious as he is former CJ.’

Ex-CJ: Only Malays truly fought for independence

David Dass: “He (former chief justice Abdul Hamid Mohamad) then said that by right, the Federation of Malaya should be returned to the Malays.”

What does this remark mean? That the pre-1957 Federation of Malaya should have been returned to the Malays? But Malaya did not exist then. The Federation of Malaya only came into existence upon Independence.

And that resulted after the colonies of Malacca and Penang, the Federated Malay States and the Unfederated Malay States agreed to come together as a federation under a federal constitution.

At that stage the issue was independence of all of the states, including Penang and Malacca.

The Second World War had been won and the Japanese and Germans defeated.

About 2.5 million Indian troops had fought with the allied forces, many in Malaya. Meanwhile, millions of Indians were involved in the fight for Independence in India - thousands were killed and tens of thousands were jailed. And India obtained its independence in 1947.

The British were exhausted and for this reason and the fact that the colonies had supported them in the war, it was decided that all colonies would be given their independence.

Malaya had a set of other problems, including a large number of Chinese and Indians. They were brought in mainly as indentured labour to help open up the jungles of Malaya, lay the infrastructure, establish the plantations and work the tin mines.

Indians were also recruited for the army, the police, the civil service, the medical service, the legal service and the teaching services. Indians also helped set up the unions.

The Chinese later set up the retail trade. At the time, immediately preceding Independence the communist insurgency was at its height. The communists had fought the Japanese, joining forces with the British. They now fought the British. Again Indian troops were involved together with British, Australian and New Zealand troops.  

Malayan troops and police were also involved, comprising Malays, Chinese and Indians. The Chinese community was herded into new villages to stop supplies to the communists. There was much suffering.

It was clear to the British, the Malay rulers and the leaders of the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities that Independence was the only way to defeat the communists. And that independence was only possible if citizenship was given to the Chinese and Indian communities. And that was how Malaya got its independence and defeated the communists.

Later Malaysia was formed with Sabah and Sarawak. Modern Malaysia is the result of Malays, Chinese and Indians together with the people of Sabah and Sarawak coming together and working peacefully for the nation.

The former chief justice (CJ) does not know his history and makes the most unhelpful statements. Malaysia belongs to all and does not have to be returned to anyone.

Negarawan: Indeed, if one reads the annals of the struggle against the Japanese, communists, Indonesians, and British, there were many heroic men and women from all ethnic backgrounds who not only lost their lives, but also that of their loved ones, because they wanted freedom for all Malaysians.

The statements by ex-CJ Abdul Hamid are not only historically distorted but also very hurtful to all peace-loving and right-minded Malaysians from all ethnic backgrounds. It is clear that the so-called ‘National Unity Front’ that he heads is for uniting all racist and religious extremists and bigots like him to create disunity among all Malaysians.

For an ex-CJ to behave in this disgusting and shameful manner brings to serious question about how and why he was appointed a CJ, as well as the need to review all his previous judgments for impartiality and factual accuracy.

Abdul Hamid should also be investigated for his motives for making such sensitive remarks that threaten national harmony.

Dr Suresh Kumar: What can I say? A supposedly learned ex-CJ coming up with a very unfair statement, further sowing the seeds of discord in a nation that is already divided and polarised by racial and religious bigots. Where is your sense of justice, Mr CJ?

The Analyser: Fascinating. First it was "the struggle for independence" and now it suddenly becomes the "fight for independence". It's amazing how some people will distort the facts to feed their delusions. A bit like religion really.

Abdul Hamid, here are some non-Umnoised facts to help clear your confusion. Many Malays sided with the Japanese during the occupation. They were the bane of the British-supported Chinese guerrillas who were the citizens who stood up against the Japanese.

There was no struggle for independence. Independence was virtually imposed on Malaya as a condition of United States support of post-war Britain. Maybe Abdul Hamid might remember how ‘Father of Independence’ Tunku Abdul Rahman travelled the length and breadth Malaya to convince the citizens that Independence was a worthwhile option.

Swipenter: In reality the feudal Malay sultanates lost their independence first to the Dutch then the British colonialists. During World War Two the predominantly Chinese resistance movements fought fiercely and harassed the Japanese invaders.

After the war, Malays, Indians, Chinese together fought to wrest back control and independence from the British. Politics then were very different with communism enjoying widespread following worldwide. The Chinese resistance movement was heavily influenced by the communist ideology, not to say there were no Malay communists.

The present-day Chinese till now are still being demonised as communists but not Malay communists. Look at how they portrayed the Bukit Kepong incident. The fact that the assault was led by a Malay communist was not made known.

Is our history syllabus going be revised once again to reflect Abdul Hamid's bigoted and racist view of the fight for independence for Bolehland from the British?

Anonymous_1398315636: Who fought the Japaneses? Chin Peng. Who fought the British? Chin Peng.

Peacemaker: Abdul Hamid is so intent on perpetuating the political myth of "perjuang Merdeka" when in truth the British had enough of Malaya and told the locals to have their country back.

As for the the shadow of the mythological "perjuangan", it wholly pertains to Malaya and does not in the remotest affect the independence of Singapore, Sabah or Sarawaki.

Abdul Hamid has to go back to primary school and re-read his history books. If only foolishness and dishonesty was a chargeable offence.

Turvy: If the Federation of Malaya be returned to the Malays, who do we return Sabah and Sarawak to?

You cannot engage in any meaningful dialogue with this man because he is untutored in simple reasoning. He went to school, to university (perhaps), became employed and was promoted to judge, but all for nothing.

The nation wasted its resources on a man who should have given back his wisdom and compassion, but all we get are his impoverished utterances.

Kathleen Ong: If only the best regardless of race and religion could make it as a CJ, I wonder what Abdul Hamid would have been doing?

Abasir: His is a statement clearly intended to provoke non-Malays to hate Malays and the government, spread dissent and ultimately spark violence.

But it is not seditious in any way because it is uttered by a former chief justice who now works for Perkasa, which is Umno's outsource partner with the sole right to instigate.

How many more racist judges are there?

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now .

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.