Putrajaya says Malaysia was colonised, disputes MPN’s version of history
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Putrajaya finally resolved today the confusion over Malaysia’s historical past and rubbished claims that the country had never been colonised by the British.
Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told Parliament today that although the Malay Rulers had retained their sovereignty while under British rule, they were compelled to accept advice from their colonisers, a clear indication that the country “was not free”.
“On the question of whether Malaysia was colonised, the answer is — yes. I take that stand although there are some views stating otherwise.
“If we study historical facts carefully, we will know that our celebration of Merdeka is not in vain because we were colonised.
“The Malay Rulers had to accept the advice of the British commissioner or resident and this means we were not free,” he told the House.
Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president, was responding to a supplementary question from Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak), who had pressed for a response from Putrajaya on the issue.
Azmin had pointed out that the recent claim by the National Professors’ Council (MPN) that Malaysia was never colonised by the British and the government’s subsequent silence had caused confusion among Malaysians, particularly students who are scheduled to sit for SPM examinations next month.
