CONTROVERSIAL Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has questioned the merit of the Madani government pushing for the appointment of Chinese new villages in Selangor as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
The Machang MP further described Chinese New Villages as “the remnants of Cold War when we fought the threat of the three-star communist terrorists who killed many of our soldiers and police regardless of whether they were Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs and many others including the British”.
Taking a pot shot at Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming who had reportedly said he would soon discuss with the Selangor state government a study to nominate Chinese new villages in the state as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal penned on his Facebook page:
“What is the historical and unity value for the so-called Chinese new villages in Selangor to deserve a UNESCO World Heritage Site status? What is the real motive of this DAP minister proposing such a thing?
“Is this another attempt to change the narrative of the country’s history and identity by normalising the black spot left in the country’s history? UMNO ministers better not take such proposal lightly. Must initiate protest in the cabinet!”
For the record, Nga who is also the Teluk Intan MP and National DAP vice-chairman has been quoted by The Star as saying that efforts to earn the UNESCO World Heritage Site status are aimed at recognising the cultural and historical significance of the new villages that have been around for 76 years.
“There are many other Chinese cultural and historical heritages that are more worthy and run parallel with the spirit of the National Cultural Policy such as the Chinese Peranakan/Baba Nyonya tradition which meets the characteristics of the UNESCO World Heritage,” suggested Wan Ahmad Fayhsal who was a former national unity minister.
“In terms of the government’s priorities, it is more appropriate to uplift Kampung Baru Kuala Lumpur as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because its historical value is more in line with the national policy and identity.” – Feb 5, 2024
