BY: FAIZUL ZAMRI

In a recent controversy and a few years ago, a couple of Malay academics claimed the Chinese junk was emulated from Malay shipbuilding expertise and it was Malay warriors who taught Chinese martial art exponents to fly.

The most recent incident is the bull, bluff and bluster of an IIUM academic claiming Roman shipbuilding was actually the result of Malay sailors and shipyard builders imparting their knowhow and expertise to them.

But before going any further, no one should mock or scoff Malay intelligence, as members of the Malay race are equally capable as any other race in the world but let’s not get into the “Ketuanan Melayu” spangle as the supremacy of any race does not exist.

Academics and intellectuals should achieve based solely on the criteria of merit, and not by trying to revise and rewrite history books to stoop so low as to boost the Malay ego. This is really not necessary.

In Malaysia, Malays as well as the Chinese and Indians have all done their share and part to contribute to nation building and all Malaysians stand proud in this together and the evidence and proof of growth can be seen.

But for any person to write hype and bullshit and expect to gain false recognition and respect is a bit too much of an ask especially when every Malaysian worth his or her salt should contribute by having integrity and honesty in their work productivity.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher