COMMENT | Malaysian school history textbooks must tell the story of the nation truthfully, inclusively, and in its full civilisational depth. Our rich multicultural and multireligious heritage should be a source of pride for all Malaysians.

To achieve this, history education must present a balanced and evidence-based account of the past rather than one shaped by selective narratives, omissions, or half-truths.

One major topic that deserves far more serious treatment is the Indianisation of the early Malay world from about the second century to the 14th century CE.

Current history textbooks have downplayed the influence of Indian civilisation on Malay kingdoms and society during this period, including its impact on kingship, court rituals, language, literature, law, religion, architecture, customs, and political vocabulary.

George Coedès, one of...