The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sabak Bernam, Kalam Salan, today proposed that the National Monument or Tugu Negara be renovated so that the soldiers depicted look more like local soldiers who fought for Malaysia’s independence.
Kalam claimed that the soldiers on the bronze monument look too ‘European’, as if our country is idolising colonisers rather than those who fought them for our country’s freedom.
Kalam Salan
PN MP urges for the Tugu Negara to be renovated as the soldiers look too ‘European’
The national monument or Tugu Negara
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) MP said that the soldiers depicted on the bronze monument have European-like features, such as tall height, sharp nose and more.
Kalam asserted,
“If we look at their faces, sharp noses like Europeans, why don’t we change them to shorter sizes like Asians, like Malaysians.
“Our noses are not that sharp, like mine, right? It’s as if we’re idolising European soldiers who colonised us,”
Close-up of the Tugu Negara
Hence, the Sabak Bernam MP called for the Tugu Negara, which was officially introduced in 1966, to be renovated so that it could spark patriotism among the rakyat.
You can watch his speech in Parliament here:
So, what do you guys think of Kalam’s proposal? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: M’sians Bash Japan Prime Minister for Visiting KL Japanese Cemetery & Tugu Negara, Here’s Why
