KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 -- It is imperative that the current and future generations of Malaysians know how the nation has evolved to where it is today.

Inspite of inherent and distinctive diversities among its people, they still could unite to win the war against communist terrorists (CTs).

Former top cop Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng said that this was particulary so during the time when the CTs were still unprepared to openly give up violence, and when their armed struggle was used as means to achieve political power.

"Even after retirement, I still continue to play my part to ensure that the incumbent government -- whatever the political party -- continues to administer the nation fairly and justly in the interests of all communities, and especially (in) the needs of all communities," he said in a special interview with Bernama recently.

He explained that all efforts must be carried out according to the Federal Constitution, and must be appreciated by everyone.

Nevertheless, Yuen expressed sadness that some politicians spit venom when making thoughtless statements in relation to the CTs, especially in trying to turn one into a hero when the nation's security forces had fought for four decades and died for the integrity of the country and its independence.

Yuen, who has penned his opinions in a letter published by a local newspaper recently, said: "Till now, tell me that I have not truly been a freedom fighter when I had been shot twice.

"I have been carrying a terrorist slug lodged in my chest since 1951. I had been hunted for assassination even after retirement in 1984. I did not accept a government offer to be relocated overseas to a safer location.

"I stayed back because not everyone who has served the nation selflessly and honestly, can afford to migrate or wants to migrate, because this is still a great country," said the man, who cuts an iconic figure in the history of the police force, given his vast experience in fighting the CTs, among others.

Yuen is saddened that things have become too political, and that creeping racial and religious polarisation have threatened the unity, harmony, economy, and above all, the once-lauded communal goodwill in this nation, which was the legacy of our first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra.

"I know the country should, hopefully sooner than later, reconcile and forget all the hurt and pain of the past, in what was a civil war of ideologies," Yuen said.

Yuen, who served as chief police officer in Perak and Sarawak, believes that the only way to ensure that the threat of communist revivalism was nipped in the bud, was to teach history in the right perspective among school and university students.

"Many things are being uttered wrongly because of our weak education system. History, as it should be, is not being taught properly," he said.

Yuen has written two books about his struggles with the CTs, first in 1998, called Operation Ginger, and the other in 2008, called Nation Before Self.

He is scheduled to deliver a talk on his struggles against the communists at the Malaysia Historical Forum (Kolokium Sejarah Malaysia) on Feb 25. -- BERNAMA