Epilogue

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKTS4B14

Today, Malaya is known as Malaysia, a name adopted following the formation of the federation that included Sabah, Sarawak, and, for a brief period, Singapore.

It now stands as an independent nation. The more than 400 New Villages across the country no longer face the restrictions that were once imposed on their residents’ predecessors. The barbed wire fences have been dismantled, and residents now enjoy the freedom to come and go as they please.

It is important to note that while the majority of New Village residents were Chinese, there were also a few families from other racial backgrounds, including the Orang Asli, Indians, and Malays, who lived alongside them.

The houses, once considered temporary settlements, have endured far longer than anticipated, sheltering several generations of families. For many younger Malaysians, especially those with family roots tracing back to this historical event, these New Villages have become cherished places filled with fond childhood memories, rather than symbols of confinement.

This book is a tribute to the collective memory of the community who lived in the New Villages in Malaysia and acknowledges their struggles and triumphs.