ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Historical Society (MHS) has applauded the Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah's call for open discussions on Kedah history and its sovereignty.
Its Kedah chapter chairman Dr Ibrahim Bakar stressed that understanding true historical events is a crucial stride towards effectively shaping the country's future.
"We truly applaud His Royal Highness decree calling for open discussions on Kedah history and its sovereignty based on actual facts.
"As for MHS, we will have an internal discussions among our historians to ensure that the public would only be informed of accurate history facts.
"We will not succumb to emotional approaches that may lead to misunderstandings. For me, nation-building should be carried out through a historical approach grounded in the truth.
"We will not adopt a political approach, as we have done for a long time. We operate based on a purely academic foundation," he told the New Straits Times.
Ibrahim was responding to Sultan Sallehuddin's decree that the power gained by the federal government was the result of a gift accorded by the states through the Federation of Malaya Agreement signed on Aug 5, 1957.
Sultan Sallehuddin had stressed that the formation of Malaysia did not act as the turning point which permitted the state history which had existed for so long to be erased.
He added that the fact that Penang is a leased state should be explained based on facts and without prejudice.
As such, Sultan Sallehuddin said it would be unfair for the voice of the people in Kedah to be silenced, particularly on matters pertaining to history and the sovereignty of the state.
Describing the discussions as a healthy development, Sultan Sallehuddin decreed that it should not be abruptly impeded, adding that it should instead be deliberated based on facts and without prejudice.
Sultan Sallehuddin said this in his royal address during an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his 81st birthday celebration at Istana Anak Bukit on Sunday.
Meanwhile, former Kedah State Museum chairman Asmirul Anuar Aris expressed his appreciation for Sultan Sallehuddin's decree.
Asmirul, who is also Pakatan Harapan Kubang Rotan assemblyman, said Sultan Sallehuddin has previously ordered for the then PH state government in 2018 to promote the state's history to the new generation.
"Hence, during PH's administration in Kedah, we have organised theatres and promoted cultural events specifically regarding Perang Musuh Bisik and the history of Kuala Kedah.
"I believe that understanding history for the sake of academics is important, and that it is crucial to avoid propagating half-truths and one sided discussions," he said when contacted.
Asmirul added that a comprehensive understanding of history is crucial to ensure that historical half-truths are not exploited for political agendas.
He also stressed that it is crucial to understand the role of supreme legislation and agreements in honoring the sovereignty of states in the country.
"We need to understand that historical facts should not supersede agreements or legislation such as the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 and the Federal Constitution.
"Politicians should not exploit this to divert people's attention from their civic duty. In administrating the state, they must not rely on divisive historical sentiments to mask shortcomings in their administration," he added.
On May 29, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was reported to have said that Kedah and Penang do not have a border because Penang still belongs to Kedah.
He had claim that Kedah only shares a border with Perak and Perlis.