25 Mac 2019  

Why pawn national dignity? Kedah state govt urged to erect “Anti-Japanese Heroes

Monument”

The Kedah state government’s actions of elevating invading Japanese military forces during World War II as heroes, and organising an official ceremony on the restoration and unveiling of the “Japanese Warrior Monument” pawns the dignity of all Malaysians besides mocking our ancestors and Malayan heroes who paid the ultimate price of sacrificing their lives in resisting the Japanese Imperial Army.

In the morning of 25 March 2019, MCA Youth Kedah unfurled a banner with the words in Bahasa Malaysia “Wira Menentang Askar Jepun” or “Heroes Resisting Japanese Forces” in English to cover the granite monument. Tear down this Monument. Of greater and a meaningful need is an “Anti-Japanese Heroes Monument” to promote peace.

We are prepared to face whatever actions that may be taken by the PH government against us.    

MCA Youth Kedah also rebukes the statement by Kedah Industry and Investment, Local Government and Housing Exco Tan Kok Yew that the erection of the said “Japanese Hero Monument” is to cultivate “peace and harmony.” These excuses are bereft of reason.

When the Japanese Imperial Army descended unto Malaya, they came with swords and weapons. Lasting 3 years and 8 months, the Japanese Occupation witnessed mountainous challenges and hardships afflicted unto Malayans. Unfortunately, till this day, there are those among us who desire to whitewash the atrocities of the conquering Japanese forces.

Why is there a monument immortalising our aggressors, but for those who had defended our nation or the general public who were massacred, they are marginalised and forgotten? Besides being insensitive, this is a case of misplaced priorities by the Kedah state government.   

MCA Youth Kedah is of the position that this mistake must be rectified whereby the truth and historical facts must be upheld. We reiterate that the invading Japanese Army during that era were not and should not be ascended as national heroes. On the contrary, they had violated our nation’s sovereignty. Why are they perceived as “qualifying” for the restoration and unveiling of a monument, while our real national heroes do not qualify?

Why is the state government willing to forsake our nation’s dignity for the purpose of attracting more investments from Japan?

Why does our state government not erect an Anti-Japanese Heroes Monument?

The Kedah PH state government owes a duty to all Malaysians to clarify this monumental blunder and insult.

MCA Youth Kedah

-MCA online-