COMMENT | When your grandfather and his contemporaries went to primary school, they learnt that a Hindu prince from Palembang, Parameswara, founded Malacca in the 15th century. They also learnt about Admiral Cheng Ho and Princess Hang Li Poh who married one of the Sultans.

We also learnt the exploits of Hang Jebat who was forced to duel with his best mate – Hang Kasturi. We also learnt about the kingdom of Langkasuka in north Malaya which encompassed Thai territory.

These days, some of these facts are missing from our history textbooks. For some reason or other, primary school children are being denied the right to learn the truth. History, it is said, cannot be changed. Whatever happened or took place, cannot be erased.

Omitting these events from textbooks will not change history but will prevent young people from knowing historical facts. That is why I wrote this note to you because the fear of the history of our nation for the year 2020 being omitted from your history books is real...