These unsung heroes, too, deserve to be included in history books

These unsung heroes, too, deserve to be included in history books

Veena Babulal
New Straits Times10 September 2017
IT is time to start recognising unsung heroes who have contributed to the nation without seeking money or glory. Badan Warisan Malaysia president Elizabeth Cardosa said it was imperative to recognise individuals or communities that have contributed to the development of Malaysia, its people and its way of life. “We should celebrate all of them, not just confine our history books to personalities who are primarily from the political or economic arenas.” She said these included personalities in the fields of teaching, science, medicine, sports as well as community leaders. Cardosa said it was time that the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Division reviewed how the History subject was taught in schools to make space for these heroes. “It should not only be people or things that promote the official national narrative. “Students should be given the opportunity to learn about local heroes, too.” Cardosa said schools could implement history projects on local leaders by collaborating with heritage or history societies. She said people of significance could be traced back to names of buildings and roads. ABDULLAH HUKUM

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Abdullah Hukum

Abdullah Hukum was one such person. He was one of the pioneers involved in the development of Kuala Lumpur in the 1880s. He was also responsible for opening up areas such as Pudu, Bukit Bintang and Sungai Putih, which is now known as Bangsar. He was honoured by then Sultan of Selangor Sultan Abdul Samad with the title of Tuk Dagang Dianjuk. Abdullah Hukum, or Muhammad Rukun, from Sumatra, was of Kerinchi descent. He came to Malaya with his father in 1850 when he was only 15, and lived in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor until his death. He died at 108 in 1943, leaving behind 18 children, and is remembered for his service to the community. Today, many structures — a village, mosque and LRT station in Bangsar — are named after him. DR ERNEST ASTON OTHO TRAVERS

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Dr Ernest Aston Otho Travers

Dr Travers was responsible for the building of the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium as a humane way to care for and treat leprosy victims who were ostracised in the early 20th century. The leprosarium, believed to be the most modern of its time and then second largest in the world, opened on Aug 16, 1930. Countries like Brazil even modelled theirs after it. Dr Travers, a former Selangor state surgeon, was drawn to the care of leprosy patients late in 1922 when he was tasked to take charge of a leprosy asylum in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Leprosy was incurable at that time. Many tried to run away, and those who could not relied on government-supplied opium to ease their pain. Seeing that, he proposed that the British government build a more humane leprosarium in Sungai Buloh, at a place then called the Valley of Hope. Jalan Travers, a short stretch behind Jalan Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur, honours his contribution. TAN AIK HUANG AND DATUK NG BOON BEE