COMMENT | Few people learn from their mistakes. Looking at the past, to understand the present and more importantly, to prepare ourselves for the future, is difficult for many.

Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution destroyed many texts, and Islamic State (IS) vandalised many ancient artifacts. Our children are not spared, because Malaysian history has been rehashed by Umno-Baru. The scale of damage is varied, but destruction still occurred.

Schoolchildren are taught that the history of Malaya began when the Malacca Sultanate was formed. Few Malaysians are aware of the existence of the 8th Century Hindu civilization at Kedah's Bujang Valley. Fast forward to the 19th Century, and many important people, like Kapitan Yap Ah Loy, who helped build Kuala Lumpur, have been erased from history.

One of those who needs a lesson in history, is the Umno-Baru Youth vice-chief, Khairul Azwan Harun. He labelled former PM, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as the "main enemy (musuh utama) of the Malays". Having accused him of destroying Umno-Baru, Khairul added that Mahathir's greed and ego had caused the nonagenarian to forget the party's struggle.

Do not be deceived into thinking that Mahathir is the enemy of the Malays. Nor is it right to think that the DAP is the enemy.

The party Khairul defends is Umno-Baru. Umno-Baru is Mahathir's creation. It was formed after the public spat between Mahathir and Tengku Razaleigh, during the 1987 party presidential election.

Just imagine the pain that the mother of a delinquent, goes through, when she has failed to reform her criminal son. In the end, the only way to "help" him, is to report him to the police.

The mother's anguish is a metaphor for Mahathir and Umno-Baru, the party he conceived. The Umno-Baru members must feel betrayed; Mahathir, probably feels that he must be cruel to be kind.

Cast our minds back to 1987. Mahathir, with the backing of his supporters, including Najib Abdul Razak, created Umno-Baru. Together they gave the Malays carte-blanche to ride roughshod over the other communities.

Today, Mahathir is like the mother of a criminal delinquent. He must act to "help save" his son.

What makes Najib think he is different from Mahathir? For many of us, 2014 to 2017 have been constant reminders of the age of fear that we experienced in the late 1980s.

Khairul needs to brush up on his history. The real enemies of the Malays are those who ignore the rule of law, who are corrupt and who rule by oppression...