Latest news with #MalaysianArmedForcesChineseVeteransAssociation
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
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Remembering sacrifices of forgotten war heroes
PETALING JAYA: While it is well known that Malaysia and Indonesia share a long and sometimes uneasy relationship, not many people are aware that lives were lost during the insurgency at the height of the Confrontation period in Malaysia's early post-independence years. The Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva) said this episode remains a relatively underexplored part of the country's history, often downplayed or omitted by mainstream accounts. The association added that had Indonesia's first president Sukarno remained in power, the Confrontation might have escalated further, posing serious challenges for a young Malaysia still establishing itself as a nation. 'Something happened in Indonesia, which was then under Sukarno's control. Then came a coup d'état. Sukarno was overthrown, and the entire regime collapsed. 'I believe God saved Malaysia. It was a critical time,' said Lt-Kol (Rtd) Dr Liew Ngoh Chin. 'When we talk about this part of history, you won't find it in academic books. 'In fact, many university historians aren't even aware of the incident,' said Liew, author of Memoirs – Malaya and Borneo at War (Memoirs 2)', published by Macva, during the book's launch at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The book is a sequel to the association's first publication, Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans (Memoirs 1), released in 2020. Both books document the experiences of armed forces personnel during some of the country's most challenging times. Also present were Macva president Lt-Kol (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit, better known as A.J. Wong and his predecessor Kapt (Rtd) Datuk Lee Kwang Lock. Lee said he hopes the publications will raise awareness among Malaysians, especially the younger generation, about the sacrifices made by armed forces veterans in defending the nation's sovereignty. 'These two books were produced to create awareness. Especially for the younger generation. Imagine if your generation isn't aware, what about future generations? 'If we don't publicise it, the public won't know or understand what we've been through, especially now that things are so peaceful,' he said. Lee added that Macva also aims to highlight the contributions of non-Malay veterans, in a bid to encourage greater participation from non-Malays in the armed forces. 'I was in charge of the Recruit Training Centre in Johor from 2004 to 2007. Every intake, we would get 700 recruits. If I got one or two Chinese to join the Navy, it was a blessing. As for Indians, we had maybe three or four. Too few non-Malays are joining the armed forces. That's the sad part. 'There's nothing wrong with joining the army; we know, because we've lived that life. It's a good life. Not rich, but comfortable,' he added. Wong expressed hope that historians would now take note of the events left out of the nation's official narrative, and that these stories may one day be included in history textbooks. Sunday's Memoirs 2 book launch drew nearly a thousand attendees, including army veterans, their families and military enthusiasts.
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.
The Star
29-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Veterans share untold stories of war
KLANG: Many courageous individuals in the Armed Forces have sacrificed their lives to protect the nation, yet unfortunately, not many Malaysians are aware of these heroes. To commemorate these distinguished individuals and their sacrifices, the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (Macva) has released a paperback titled Memoirs: Malaya and Borneo at War. 'Each chapter in the book is written by the veterans themselves, sharing their stories and how they fought tooth and nail to protect the country. 'Some of their comrades died for the nation, leaving the survivors to tell their posthumous stories,' said former navy officer Lt (Rtd) Mary Koh, one of Macva's three vice-presidents. Kol (Rtd) Zulkifli Tahir, from the Royal Malay Regiment, is one of the authors who shares various experiences in his chapter called 'The Choice You Make Dictates the Life You Lead'. He recounts the incident where he lost part of his right leg to a booby trap during operations against communists at the Kuala Muda Forest Reserve in Kedah in early 1986. Kol Zulkifli Tahir had lost his right leg while battling the communists. The former soldier vividly describes the condition of his right leg following the blast, as well as details the injuries suffered by some of his platoon members. Zulkifli, who retired from the army after 40 years of service in 2020, said that during his time, people joined the military without expecting anything in return other than the chance to serve the nation. 'We were also colour blind as when you are in battle, it's the person on your right, left, front and back that will be looking out for you regardless of who they are,'' he said when contacted. Retired army engineer Lt Kol Raymond Goh Boon Pah recounts the story of a Nepalese Gurkha soldier who fought alongside Malaysian troops in Sarawak during the Indonesian Confrontation in 1965. The soldier, then L/Cpl Rambahadur Limbu, was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British decoration, for his courageous efforts in defending Malaysia's sovereignty as well as rescuing his injured comrades. He returned home to Nepal and died at the age of 83 in 2023. A representative of His Majesty King Charles lll attended hiis funeral. In addition to stories shared by military officers and personnel, former police special branch Supt Datuk Paul Kiong's account of his experiences during the height of the communist insurgency is one of the standout chapters in the book. When contacted, Kiong explained that the police and military often collaborated by sharing intelligence in their fight against communist insurgency. Supt Datuk Paul Kiong, during his days in the jungle with the communists to gather intelligence. 'Our teams had a very close working relationship – they had the numbers, and we had the expertise for covert operations. 'To infiltrate and gather intelligence within the communist strongholds, we relied heavily on the Chinese community, and the police special branch had many Chinese officers,' he said. Kiong himself had successfully infiltrated a communist fort and lived among them for six years, collecting crucial intelligence. Now 81, Kiong shared that he had helped turn a large number of former communists over for rehabilitation, with many of them eventually becoming his close friends. 'We meet regularly, and they are very grateful for the second chance I gave them. 'I could have easily killed them when I brought them out,' said Kiong, who added that the rehabilitated individuals now lead ordinary lives, and their children are now productive and respectable members of society. For his valour, Kiong was bestowed the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, which is Malaysia's highest federal award. The book, which was edited by a team led by former army surgeon Lt-Kol (Rtd) Dr Liew Ngoh Chin, will be launched on June 1 by former chief of defence forces Jen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, the navy's first Malaysian chief Rear Admiral (Rtd) Tan Sri K. Thanabalasingam, and the air force's first non-British chief Air Vice-Marshal (Rtd) Tan Sri Sulaiman Sujak.
