Latest news with #MACVA
Focus Malaysia
03-07-2025
- General
- Focus Malaysia
'Our country, our land': MACVA calls for Malaysian Chinese youth participation in military
THE Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) has expressed support for the recent call by Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar for greater participation of non-Bumiputera communities into the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM). Citing official data, MACVA said of the 509 newly commissioned officer cadets, only eight are of Chinese descent. This low figure is a matter of concern and reflects the need for greater Chinese representation in the national defence sector. 'A military career is no easy path, but it builds character, instills discipline, develops leadership, and most importantly, provides young people with a chance to directly participate in nation-building and take on the noble responsibility of protecting the rakyat,' said its president Lt. Col. (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit. According to Wong, Chinese forefathers once proudly served and defended the nation, leaving behind a legacy of honour and sacrifice. 'Today's generation should carry forward this tradition and ensure the Chinese community continues to have a voice, presence, and contribution within the armed forces,' he stressed. 'Joining the military does not mean giving up on one's dreams. It means choosing a different path—one filled with broader horizons and greater challenges. 'Whether in the jungles of Sabah, the waters of the Malacca Strait, or on international peacekeeping missions, military personnel are the nation's protectors and part of a diverse, united society.' Wong went on to call on Chinese families and community organisations nationwide to support their youths in exploring the path of military service and to encourage them to don the uniform with pride and build a meaningful career in national defence. 'This is our country, our land—and national defence should never be without the presence and contribution of the Chinese community,' he remarked. On June 24, the ATM marked a historic milestone as Mejar Jeneral Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng was promoted to the rank of Leftenan Jeneral, making him the first Chinese senior officer to attain the prestigious three-star rank in the country's military. ‒ July 3, 2025 Main image: Defence Ministry
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Chinese veterans group urges more community members to join armed forces
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Chinese Association for Veterans Affairs (MACVA) has urged more Chinese Malaysians to join the Malaysian Armed Forces. MACVA president Lieutenant Colonel (R) Wong Ah Jit said previous generations of the Chinese community had also served and defended the country. "A military career is not an easy path, but it builds character, instils discipline, develops leadership and, most importantly, provides an opportunity for young people to be directly involved in nation-building and shoulder the responsibility of protecting the people. "The current generation should continue this tradition and ensure the Chinese community continues to have a voice, presence and contribution in the armed forces," he said in a statement today. Wong said MACVA called on Chinese families and community organisations nationwide to support their young people in exploring military service, and encourage them to don the uniform proudly and build meaningful careers in national defence. "This is our country, our land, and national defence should not be without the presence and contribution of the Chinese community. "Joining the military does not mean giving up on dreams. It means choosing a different path with greater challenges," he said.
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
MACVA pushes for war memoirs to enter school curriculum
KUALA LUMPUR: Many Malaysians remain unaware that the country has endured three wars — and that the sacrifices of its army veterans during these conflicts have been largely omitted from history books and overlooked in the national narrative. "Very little has been documented about these turbulent chapters of our history, especially the undeclared wars that plagued the country in its early years. Most of the books and articles that exist were written from foreign perspectives," said Captain (Rtd) Dato' Lee Kwang Lock of the Royal Malaysian Navy. "Our historians and academics — even those from our own universities — are often unaware of the stories and details of these wars," he lamented. "So we took it upon ourselves to collect stories from our veterans, to create awareness." Despite their pivotal role in safeguarding the nation during the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Communist Insurgency, many of these veterans have faded from public memory. Their sacrifices helped lay the foundation for the peace and stability Malaysia enjoys today — yet their contributions are rarely acknowledged, and remain largely absent from school curricula. As a result, younger generations grow up with little understanding of the price paid for the freedom they now take for granted. In an effort to preserve these forgotten stories, the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) has published Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo at War, launched yesterday. The paperback compiles first-hand accounts from Malaysian veterans, offering a rare glimpse into the personal struggles, courage and camaraderie that defined their wartime experiences. Lee emphasised that the book is more than just a historical record. "It stands as a tribute to the thousands of soldiers and police officers who defended the sovereignty of our nation," he said. MACVA hopes the book will reach a wider audience — particularly secondary school and university students, who they believe must be taught the realities of Malaysia's wartime history and the sacrifices that shaped the nation. "We had planned to approach the Ministry of Education to give away copies of our book because the younger generation must be aware," said MACVA president Lt Col (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit. "But there have been hurdles in getting it approved and accepted into the school system." MACVA's latest publication follows its first book, Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans, launched in March 2020. With each release, the association hopes to fill the historical gaps left in mainstream narratives — and to spark greater public awareness of Malaysia's military past. There is a growing urgency to ensure that the sacrifices of these veterans are formally recognised. Wong stressed that their stories should not be confined to memoirs alone, but woven into the national education system — so that future generations truly understand the price of peace.
