History writing and history teaching

Abstract

Just as the Sweet-Young-Thing wishes to see her name in the neoa-lights, so I suppose the history teacher aspires to see his name in print. For me the desire to embark on history writing began in 1948. A year later, when permission was sought to publish my "Some Notes On Empire History", at my own expense and risk, the official reply was in the negative. (I must explain that a Government servant has to observe the rules and regulations as laid down in General Orders, one of which is that he cannot participate in business without prior written permission.) I should like to state that it was not the money motive that first prompted me to write: it was a genuine desire to see myself in print. So one can imagine how I felt when the official letter was received. It was a severe blow to all my cherished endeavour. Perhaps, I could be pardoned for quoting in extenso the reply from the Director Of Education, Federation of Malaya: "...and while I admire Mr. Neoh Thean Chye's industry...I do not feel that I can give any encouragement to him to publish these notes.