Comments for Statement is based on history, says Ong at http://www.malaysianbar.org.my , comment 0 to 2 out of 2 comments http://www.malaysianbar.org.my Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:42:43 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/statement_is_based_on_history_says_ong.html#pc_7837 Having read many books on World War II and even the various genres on the Malayan campaign, including "The Jungle is Neutral" and "The Grand Delusion," I find that the basic pattern of Asian nationalists during World War II was to consciously split themselves up between the contending Allied and Axis powers. Thus, for instance, we have in Thailand Pibul on one side and Pridi on the other, in India Gandhi on one side and Subhas Chandra Bose on the other. Even in the Philippines, Quezon (or the president at that time) told his aide to work with the invading Japanese and ensure minimum damage to Manila as he was retreating with American forces. I am sure the same split occurred in Indonesia as well. That is the recurring pattern of engagement with the invading and retreating forces in an Asia in turmoil. There was even a recorded attewmpt after World War II to get Pibul and Pridi to meet, but this never occurred as, strangely, Pridi was found dead in Japan just before the meeting! That meeting, had it occurred, would have lent credence to the theory that Asian nationalists knowingly split their support for the two contenders so that whichever side won, their nation won. Alas, most of my books are in my library in my New Zealand house. My library also have books on journalism painfully collected over more than a hundred years. I am thinking of bequeathing them to my the School of Journalism of my alma mater in Christchurch when I pass on to celebrate the life of a senior journalist. I am still thinking ... because at the moment I find no newspaper in Malaysia worth giving to. Stephen Tan Ban Cheng - Stephen Tan Ban Cheng Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:17:24 +0100 http://www.malaysianbar.org.my/legal/general_news/statement_is_based_on_history_says_ong.html#pc_7822 Let's ask Prof. Emeritus Khoo Kay Kim about this. I find in Malaysia, different people writes different version on history especially if it involves race issues. Malay historian writes history praising his/her race and same goes to other races. However, I also find Prof Khoo a reliable source of history each time he speaks about the historical facts of Malaysia. Dara Waheda Mohd Rufin - Dara Waheda Mohd Rufin Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:03:29 +0100