COMMENT | The Kuala Lumpur branch of the Malaysian Historical Society (MHSKL) wishes to respond to this article published on Oct 3, 2017, in which the Parent Action Group for Education (Page) stated that schools are being turned into "political hotbeds", in reference to the inter-Putrajaya level "School Decoration Competition" themed "Umno dan Kemerdekaan" jointly organised by the Parliamentary Education Bureau Putrajaya and MHSKL.

The statement by Page also states that because of such competitions, confidence in the national school system is eroding.

We see that the statement by Page wishes to put our effort in a negative light and to misguide the public with statements that are unfounded.

The MHSKL has been involved in giving our input to the joint-organising committee of the competition since 2014. From the inaugural competition, we have provided technical expertise and the team of jury/adjudicators to assist in the flow of the competition.

When asked about our opinion on the theme and the parameters for the competition to be conducted, the organisers are guided by the following:

a) The historical theme should conform to the government school syllabus found in history textbooks;

b) The outcome of the competition would be to make students improve their reading of history, knowing the sources of history and to train them with confidence in orally presenting to the jury their theme of choice;

c) The students should learn the basics of the Constitution and the fight for Merdeka through the political process and contrast it with the fight of independence through arms struggle; and

d) The adjudication is done in an impartial manner by members of MHSKL. (From 2014-2016 MHSKL provided two jury panels for the competition. This year, the honorary assistant treasurer of MHSKL acted as the head juror.)

It is our stand that the organisers of this competition comply with all parameters suggested by MHSKL. As to the theme, the part of history where Umno with other political parties fought for Malaya's independence in the period from 1946 leading up to Merdeka in 1957, is indelible and is etched in our nation's history.

Reenacting famous event

This fact should not be denied by Page as a responsible education activist group. The parameters above also show that parents can rest assured that the organisers have the best interest of the students when organising the competition.

By reliving historical moments through plays and presentations, the students would not only be given a learning experience, but it would enable them to enjoy the process of learning history and a chance to express themselves. As such, the waving of the Umno flag must not be taken out of context.

According to the head juror representing MHSKL, the waving of the Umno flag was done as a part of the last scene, whereby Tunku Abdul Rahman was soliciting for donations from the public.

As students reenact a famous scene where ladies give their jewellery and men depart with whatever they have of value to be given for the Merdeka mission, some other students waved flags and the Umno song was sung. We believe the said scene when taken into context connotes a positive expression towards reliving a historical moment although it may or may not be historically accurate.

It is to be noted that the organisers are not involved in how the schools and students competing in the said competition express themselves towards realising the theme given.

MHSKL would like to support such competitions to be organised not only in Putrajaya but also through Kuala Lumpur, but with expansion of themes such as "the Malacca Sultanate", "Post World War I" and "Post World War II". We would also like to extend our expertise to other NGOs that would like to make the learning of history fun.

MOHD EMIL AZRIL BAHARI is the chairperson of the Kuala Lumpur branch of the Malaysian Historical Society.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.