The Malaysian Insight

IN the years after Malaya attained independence from the British in 1957, many enthusiastic Chinese youth joined the armed forces.

Getting a good job with the government in those days meant becoming a teacher, nurse or soldier.

Serving in the military meant holidays spent away from their families, fighting against the communists during the Malayan Emergency, and being on extra guard during celebrations like Merdeka Day, when the risk of attacks was higher, some of them said.

A few also led teams to other countries to participate in military exercises, or did intelligence work to support the government.

Although they were in different branches of the military and played different roles, all lost sleep and endured the pain of separation from their loved ones. Some even shed blood for the sake of keeping the country safe.

It is peacetime in 21st-century Malaysia, but there are those who feel that race relations are worse now, with tensions heightened in a way they had never felt in the past.

With some quarters questioning the loyalty of the Chinese for political mileage, proud veterans from the community who have served the country feel that the Merdeka celebrations in recent years have left a bitter taste in their mouths.

The Malaysian Insight spoke to four Chinese veterans on what Malaysia’s 62nd Merdeka means to them.

Lt Cdr (R) Phua Hean Sim, 67

“Merdeka Day is supposed to be a day of deep reflection, on how the various races worked hard together to achieve independence,” said Phua, who enlisted in the navy in 1972.

“In the military, there is no ‘race’ when it comes to protecting the country. Every soldier is part of the same family. But now, politics has divided us, and even the military is divided along racial lines.”

It is always hurtful whenever the loyalty of Malaysia’s Chinese is questioned, or when they are called “pendatang” (immigrants), he said.

Phua said he and his comrades of all races trained together, ate together, and slept in bunks close to each other, giving them a strong sense of community and team spirit.

“I am an old man now, and I have no other home to be loyal to other than Malaysia.”

Lt Col (R) Loo Lee Fum, 63

Enlisting in the army is a daunting task in general. For Loo, a Chinese woman, it was doubly so.

She was the only Chinese woman among the hundreds of candidates who enlisted in 1977. She was placed in the intelligence department.

“I don’t think my patriotism can be questioned.”

She flies the Jalur Gemilang every year outside her home for Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations.

“I fly the flag from August 1 to September 16. When my neighbours see that, they do the same. This is how I show my love for the country now.”

Loo recalled the times she participated in Merdeka Day parades, waking up at the crack of dawn to perfect her routine in the days leading up to August 31.

“I hope all Malaysians can celebrate Merdeka together harmoniously instead of bickering with each other. We are all one big family.”

Capt (R) Tong Lye Heng, 72

Tong joined the army in 1969. He said being a military man meant being more vigilant around Merdeka Day due to the heightened risk of ambush attacks by communists.

“I have been in shoot-outs with the communists, I was shot once and nearly died. Whenever someone says the Chinese are not loyal to Malaysia, I get very angry.

“Those who have not shed a drop of blood or sweat on the battlefield do not get to question the loyalty of the Chinese.”

He retired early due to his injuries, which severely impacted his physical fitness.

He relives his experience as a soldier by recounting stories to his grandchildren and taking them to watch Merdeka Day parades. As the different units of servicemen march past, he proudly tells them each unit’s role and responsibilities.

“In those days, we never got to spend Merdeka with our families. It was only after retirement that I got to enjoy the holiday in the company of my family.”

Capt (R) Tien Sen An, 63

Tien, who enlisted in the air force in 1981, led fly-pasts during Merdeka Day parades three times in his years on duty.

“The hardest part of a Merdeka Day fly-past, to me, is being on cue, (and it depends on whether) speeches are completed on time. If the time limit is overshot, then the flight schedules have to be recalculated.

“If the first flight has any change, the second flight has to change as well. Air force fly-pasts require the utmost precision. There can be no room for error.”

He has taken his children to watch Merdeka Day parades, during which he explains to them the meaning of independence.

He said he reminds his children that all the races should live in harmony, now that Malaysia has achieved independence.

Whenever certain groups play the race card or question the Chinese’s loyalty, it touches a raw nerve with Tien.

“When I hear those things, I get very angry. I laid my life on the line to protect the country, while these people have not shed even a drop of sweat for the country. And yet, they dare criticise us. What are they thinking? Wouldn’t you be angry, too?

“I am an old, retired soldier who suffered for the country back in those days. So whenever I hear people denigrating the Chinese, I feel hurt.” – August 31, 2019.