Penelitian Sains Sosial Jun 2022

Dignify Local History with Consciousness

BN Lee
Faculty of Psychology and Education
University of Malaysia Sabah

Abstract
This paper discusses efforts to dignify local history which requires a clear educational
policy so that it can be appreciated by future generations. The recognition of more
historians and archaeologists is also very important in the conservation of the
nation's historical and cultural heritage in this country so that it continues to be
strengthened. This means that the country should increase scholarships and training
to attract students in those fields, as expertise increases in these two fields, then the
pattern of education through history will increase. Ignoring the subjects of history
and archeology is very dangerous for future generations if the teaching of history is
mixed with prejudice.

Keywords: Dignity, History, Heritage

Introduction
An example of Negeri Sembilan, the understanding of customs and traditions of
Perpatih is very important to be explained in education. Wisdom, the beauty of
traditional life in the Perpatih Traditional State should be nurtured again with the role
played by the Yang Dipertuan Besar, Pembesar Adat and the state government. If
custom is not strengthened from now on, in a decade the community will not know
what custom is and they will begin to question the position of custom (Bernama,
2022).

The Importance of History Subject

In the context of nation-state building, the importance of history as the main
mechanism has been voiced for a long time by various parties. Wang Gung Wu, for
example, raised the dignity of history from the point of view of the importance of
remembering the past, especially in shaping the personality of a group, tribe or
community. According to Sartono Kartodirdjo, history education acts as a didactic
tool especially as a pillar of national education. Accordingly, the knowledge of
history, especially the history of the country, will enable a nation, especially the
young generation, to be more concerned about the nation and the development of
its country. By caring about history indirectly allows one to fulfill one's responsibilities
as a citizen. With its nature as a tool to understand the past as well as its function as
a guideline, teaching and guidance allows history to be given a special place in the
education system of a country.

In Malaysia, it is also not a new problem in this country. Since independence until
now, the issue of history and its role in nation-building continues to be discussed and
crowned as the main agenda of the country. Just to quote a few views, this issue has
clearly become the main agenda of the country especially since the events of May
13, 1969. The former Minister of the Interior of Malaysia in 1980, Tan Sri
Muhammad Ghazali Shafie in the opening speech of the Conference of the
International Association of Asian Historians (IAHA) in 1980 stated its importance.
According to him:
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"Every person, society or nation has a past that has shaped its present position and
together the past and the present shape its future. But the choice of its future image
depends on the present's beliefs about its history, what it thinks it is and what it is.
he believes that others believe in him". (Ghazali Shafie, 1980 : 3) in Faiz (2013).

He is also emphatic: "When people have lost their confidence and trust in their
history because of overly simplistic historicism or intense subjectivism or for
whatever reason then history becomes tiresome and its study irrelevant". (Ghazali
Shafie, 1980: 18) in Faiz (2013).

In Malaysia, the subject of history has been taught since the time of the British
administration, but it is not the main subject in line with the British education policy
which allowed the school system to develop along racial lines, thus creating different
classes among the people in Malaysia. Malaya. A slight change to history education
in Malaya only occurred in 1918 following the introduction of History subjects at
school and college level following the end of the Second World War and the
establishment of the History Department of the University of Malaya in 1949 gave life
to history education in Malaysia. Through it, scientific research and writing become
the main agenda that indirectly broadens the horizon of study and knowledge about
the country's history. After the country achieved independence until now, the History
education that was designed focused on building and unifying the Malaysian nation.
This goal emphasizes the process of building a new generation of Malaysians who
are united and knowledgeable, especially through language elements and the
strength of the nation's culture. Schools play an important role in achieving these
goals through the teaching and learning process.

This goal is not impossible to achieve if all Malaysians have awareness, appreciate
history, realize their position and make history education the most important tool to
achieve this goal. The 1995 Education Act, for example, emphasizes the importance
of knowledge as the main determinant of the country's direction and the country's
savior. The same Act also affirmed the importance of the National Education Policy
that will be adopted through the national education system to meet the needs of the
country as well as foster national unity in various fields through the education sector.
For a multi-racial country like Malaysia, national integration is a very complicated
issue and complicates the nation-building process. The National Education Policy
outlines the subject of history as the main tool to realize that goal. The emphasis of
history education is focused on historical awareness, tolerance and community
sensitivity to share responsibility for the future of the country.

An important element in the teaching of history also includes the building of national
spirit. For a country like Malaysia, that spirit is very necessary to achieve the
aspirations of one country and a similar dream for Malaysians. Patriotism is a key
element in history education that aims to build awareness and strengthen the spirit
of struggle and love for the nation and country. The element aims to produce
responsible members of society, willing to serve and willing to sacrifice for the
country. This matter was once expressed by Tun Dr. Mahathir. According to him:

"If the spirit of patriotism is gone among the youth, we fear that when the young
generation grows up, they will no longer love their own nation and country. With
that it is very easy for foreigners to incite them and will conspire. to eliminate the
freedom of our country" in Faiz (2013).
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Dignifying History Project

In order to further dignify Johor's history, culture and arts, Universiti Tun Hussein
Onn Malaysia (UTHM) through the Tunku Tun Aminah Library (PTTA) has
spearheaded the Johor Culture and Heritage Research and Innovation Project or
Research and Innovation in Johor Culture and Heritage. (RICHER). PTTA entered into
a smart collaboration with the UTHM research team after successfully obtaining four
research grants focusing on four main projects to begin with, namely the History of
the Battle at Parit Sulong and the History of Iron Ore Mining in Sri Medan, Gambus:
History, Instrumentation and Game Style in Johor, Website Johor Map and Zapin
Digitization.

As a result, the Johor Heritage Gallery was successfully developed and the
Gambus@PTTA Exhibition was successfully held at UTHM with the aim of increasing
community awareness of the nation's culture. Along with the development of IR 4.0,
the RICHER Project also aims to develop a centralized digital material portal including
photos, videos, newspaper clippings and other materials related to Johor's culture
and heritage.

In addition, it also aims to digitize selected exhibition content using animation

technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality
(MR) and Virtual Tour (Virtual Tour). This effort is taken to support the main goal of
UTHM which is towards excellence in research and innovation using the energy and
expertise of UTHM people. Following that, a RICHER Project Inauguration Ceremony
was held on 24 August 2022 at PPTA, the main campus. The ceremony was
officiated by the Deputy Speaker of the Johor State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Haji
Samsolbari Jamali (UTHM, 2022).

Conclusion
The state's historical, artistic and cultural heritage needs to be defended to ensure
that it continues to be preserved and can be enjoyed by future generations. This
initial initiative by the university is able to benefit the state of Johor. The whole
community needs to be given an understanding of the importance of this effort in
order to foster the spirit of love for the country as well as efforts to maintain the
harmony and unity of the country.

Reference

Named. (August 17, 2022). The dignity of history requires a clear educational policy.
Kuala Lumpur: Sinar Harian.

Faiz, Faiz Jawawi, Jay, et al. (2013). The Importance of History Subjects. Kuala
Lumpur: Titian Mengkuang.

UTHM. (2022). UTHM succeeded in the RICHER project, glorifying the history,
culture and art of Johor Batu Pahat: Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)