Kuala Lumpur: Stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience from Malaysia’s forgotten battlefronts, once buried deep in the memories of its veterans, have now found a voice in a new book launched today by the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the publication titled ‘Memoirs – Malaya and Borneo at War’ is a sequel to the association’s first book, ‘Memoirs of the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans’, and features personal accounts written mainly by retired Malaysian Armed Forces personnel, many of whom served during the nation’s most challenging years.

Former MACVA president Capt (Rtd) Datuk Lee Kwang Lock stated that the memoir serves as both a historical record and a tribute to the thousands of men and women who served the nation during the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation, and the prolonged counter-insurgency warfare. ‘This is not just a book, it’s a legacy. It ensures the sacrifices and struggles of our veterans are not forgotten as time passes,’ he mentioned at a press conference at the launch of the book.

Also present at the event was MACVA president Lt Col (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit. The book includes detailed recollections of military operations conducted in dense jungles and remote areas, where soldiers and police personnel fought to defend the sovereignty of a young nation. It also highlights the critical roles played by the Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Malaysian Air Force in supporting ground forces during these campaigns.

Lee, who is also the organizing chairman of the event, noted that Malaysia’s post-war history is often told through foreign perspectives. ‘This second memoir seeks to correct that by spotlighting local voices and experiences. Many of these stories would have been lost forever. We believe this memoir will shine a torch on the path from where the nation emerged,’ he said.

MACVA’s first memoir, launched in March 2020, helped raise awareness and funds for the association, though its momentum was affected by the COVID-19 lockdown shortly afterward. Priced at RM70, this second volume continues that mission, capturing a defining chapter of Malaysia’s security history through the eyes of those who lived it – a reminder that today’s peace is built upon the courage and unity of those who came before.