The 46-year-old from Perak documents historical “discoveries” in a creative and accessible way on Instagram and TikTok under the handle “historyadventure”, using photos, videos and short write-ups.
For instance, he combines background music, graphic texts and editing to highlight the stories of wars fought during the British colonial era and the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.
His posts are particularly popular among students, who use them as a reference to help them better appreciate history.
Hairul’s history lessons have also captured the attention of teachers and university lecturers, who utilise his content as teaching material. Some of his videos have garnered millions of views.
Among the most-watched are those of a Japanese underground bunker in Manjung, Perak, and the wreck of a US Army C47B Dakota aircraft in the Bubu mountain range in Beruas.
Hairul, who began his journey as an influencer in 2022, uses his free time to explore historical sites – not just out of personal interest but also to reconnect society, especially the younger generation, with their roots.
“If we don’t learn from the history of colonisation, the same mistakes will repeat. That’s why it’s important for today’s generation to understand the past, so that our nation will not become weak again,” the father of two told Bernama.
His interest in history, particularly wartime events in Malaya, began when he was in Form Five at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Manjung in 1996.
He said he was intrigued by stories related by village elders about Japanese soldiers, old settlements, and aircraft wrecks in the forests of Perak. This led him to search for historical remains in the jungles.
“At the time, we had no access or resources to verify the truth. So, everything remained as oral stories that fascinated me,” he explained.
From 2010 onwards, he has actively participated in expeditions with the Malaya Historical Group, which is dedicated to researching and documenting Malaysia’s aviation and wartime history.
With their guidance, every discovery during his many expeditions are cross-checked and verified with colonial records and archives.
After over a decade of fieldwork, Hairul and his team realised they had documented more than 30 re-discoveries and identified numerous historical artefacts, not only in Perak but throughout the country.
These included the wreckage of a Japanese aircraft in Penampang, Sabah (2019); a British transport plane in Kampar (2016); a five-tonne early-20th-century British steam engine in Bukit Selambau, Kedah (2020); and a Japanese inscription stone in Manjung (2024).
“Not all historical artefacts can be preserved,” Hairul noted. “We were disappointed when some landowners refused to hand over the items to the museum and instead sold them at high prices to buyers.
“It is painful when months or years of effort end that way, but at the very least, we inform the authorities so it can be recorded officially,” he said, adding that all their work has been done voluntarily and without external funding.
Unpredictable weather, safety risks, and returning home empty-handed are among the challenges he has to face while out on an expedition; but for Hairul, the satisfaction of confirming discoveries and contributing to national heritage fuels his passion.
His efforts serve to remind younger generations that history isn’t only about memorising the dates of battles – it is about sharing lessons on the importance of the nation’s sovereignty, and avoiding the mistakes of the past.