Jangan lupa peranan bukan Melayu dalam perjuangan kemerdekaan, kata Ayob Khan

Former Deputy Inspector-General Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has highlighted the crucial roles played by non-Malay communities during the fight for Malaysian independence. Speaking to FMT, Khan emphasized that many Chinese police officers risked their lives by infiltrating communist groups to gather intelligence during the Malayan Emergency, a 12-year period that began in 1948.

The country gained independence from Britain in August 1957. Khan urged the recognition of contributions from various ethnic groups besides Malays in achieving independence, stating that these contributions must be valued and respected. Khan personally witnessed how individuals from diverse backgrounds, such as Chinese and Indian-Muslim officers in his intelligence department, could collaborate effectively despite their differences, attributing this to having Chinese and Indian-Christian colleagues at the district police headquarters.

However, he expressed concern over the growing lack of unity, especially among younger Malaysian generations, as children are increasingly segregated based on varying educational streams from kindergarten to university, making it harder for the nation to coexist harmoniously. Khan noted that such trends might lead to societal fragmentation along ethnic lines, potentially causing numerous problems.

Nonetheless, as a former police officer who served for 35 years, Khan maintains that Malaysia remains safe overall, despite having a diverse population comprising various ethnicities and religions, with conflicts occurring only occasionally. Nonetheless, he stressed that security should not be taken lightly and efforts must be made to bridge gaps between different ethnic groups and religions, ensuring continued progress together.