2 HOMETuesday, September 16, 2014

A day to remember and celebrate!

THE 51st anniversary of the formation of Malaysia is held in Miri with the theme ‘Harmony in Diversity’. It aptly describes the day in which the country of rich ethnic diversity finally said ‘yes’ to the formation of a country we now call Malaysia.

Today tens of thousands are expected to turn up for the event because to Sarawakians, this is a day to be remembered and celebrated as it is the day the nation of Malaysia came into being in 1963.

A day of historical significance

Malaya gained its independence from the British on Aug 31, 1957; Sarawak was given back its autonomy on July 22, 1963 and North Borneo on Aug 31, 1963.

Sept 16, 1963 however was a day of even more historical significance. This was the day that Malaysia came into being when four independent countries Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo (Sabah) came together to be proclaimed as a nation but Singapore pulled out on Aug 9, 1965.

Prior to the formation, Sarawak signed the 18-point agreement in which the state assumed its autonomy in certain areas such as immigration, land, forestry and others while Sabah

signed another agreement called the 20-point agreement to safeguard its own interests.

As correctly pointed out by Senior Minister and Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, since the Prime Minister had announced that Sept 16 is Malaysia Day, the country should stick to it.

Aug 31 is Malaya’s and Sabah’s Independence Day and not Sarawak’s independence day.

Apart from Masing, other politicians such as Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah as well opposition leader Baru Bian and local community leader Temengong Lu Kim Yong all agreed that the grand celebration for the nation should be Sept 16 and not Aug 31.

Stressing on the need to “put things right”, Fatimah believes that it is important to put forward actual and accurate historical facts as have been written and recorded which must be made known publicly so that Malaysians can learn from the past.

“More importantly, we have to teach our children, the young generation and future generation actual history so that they can clearly understand the difference between Malaya’s

independence on Aug 31 and Malaysia Day on Sept 16,” said Fatimah.

A day of counting blessings

Today is also a day of commemoration of the achievements of Malaysia as a whole. The country has achieved great economic success after five decades of breaking away from the British colonial power.

From a land of villages five decades ago, many places in the country have leapfrogged to form internationally renounced cities and cosmopolitans. There are, however, some that remain impoverished and underdeveloped.

After decades of contributing to national coffers, there has been a rising awareness that these two Borneo entities have been short-changed since independence in view of the amount they have contributed and the lack of development in the states.

And even within Sarawak itself, there has been an outcry for funds to be injected into the rural areas for greater development and more beneficial land-use.

Apart from generic effort from the local communities, it has been the hope of the rural folks that basic infrastructure such as good roads, treated water and

electricity are provided to them. Other basic amenities such as safe schools and well-equipped clinics are also in their wish list.

While the urban folks are counting their blessings, it is high time to think about the needs of the rural folks - especially quality education for rural children whose parents have never ceased to believe in the ruling government.

And while our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia are counting their blessings, perhaps they should also spare a thought for Sarawak and Sabah.

Despite grievances, Malaysia still maintains its peace and harmony as it has been the culture of Malaysians especially those in Sarawak and Sabah to express their needs through peaceful negotiations.

That has been why Malaysia has always been known not for its negative political expressions but for its ability to maintain peace and harmony among a diversity of races and religions.

Though a land of cultural and racial diversity Malaysia is harmonious in nature.

A day of reflection - pondering on nation’s future

As in all jubilations, this should also be a day of reflection. Despite being peaceful, the country has been tainted with the negative remarks of religious bigots and racial extremists. With the social media providing convenient platforms for the spread of various ideas, both positive and negative, all Malaysians must exercise their discernment with great care so as not to be lured by honey-combed sweet rhetoric which may endanger or threaten the peace and harmony of the country.

While the Malaysian flag and state flag are hoisted up, today will be a good day to ponder on the country’s future direction.

As citizens of this country, all Malaysians must think hard of what direction it should be moving forward to and from each individual aspect, what must be done to help the country move in the right direction.

It is not the politicians who determine the nation’s future. It is the people of Malaysia that have the power to decide what kind of country Malaysia should be.

Happy Malaysia Day!

By Peter Sibon, Philip Kiew, Lian Cheng, Samuel Aubrey, Lim How Phim, Antonia Chiam, Jenifer Laeng, Connie Banji, Peter Boon and Danny Wongreporters@theborneopost.com

3Tuesday, September 16, 2014HOME

What they say on this auspicious occasion

WEll done, Malaysia! We, irrespective of racial background or religion are able to mix well, respect and understand each other well, enabling us to live in harmony among all the races.

These have augured well for economic development for the prosperity of the nation. The existing racial harmony is an invaluable asset that can spur the nation to greater heights.

— Chung Chin Yuan, 71, Office senior executive

BEar in mind that without Dayak support, there is no Malaysia. Without the Dayak support, the BN government would not be able to sustain its rule. Despite being loyal to the government of the day, the Dayaks have been marginalised and side-lined in major fields of human endeavour. For instance, it cannot be that after more than 50 years being part of Malaysia, Dayaks only have two persons in the corporate field namely Datuk Seri Idris Jala and Tan Sri leo Moggie, well-known to the powers that be. Don’t tell me there are no other Dayaks capable and qualified to hold senior and top positions in government-linked companies, government ministries and departments. The problem is that Dayaks have not been given the opportunity. Same situation occurs in business.

— Dr Dusit Jaul, Sarawak Dayak Graduates’ association president

THErE seems to be a glaring disconnect between aug 31 and Sept 16. Our history books have placed much emphasis on aug 31, 1957 – the day Malaya gained its independence – but failed to place similar emphasis on the actual formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. Celebrating Malaysia day has gained traction since the 13th general election (last year). The time has come for us to come together as one in celebrating Sept 16 as the ‘birthday’ of the nation. Celebrating aug 31 should take on lesser significance – if not being dropped completely. My wish for Malaysia is that we must discard the polarised thinking besetting the segments of our society. We must see fellow Malaysians as Malaysians first; not through racial lenses.— Felician Teo, educationalist

THE history of Sarawak leading to our Independence and the formation of Malaysia can be taken from the textbook. However, further details can be added just to make sure that Malaysians – especially Sarawakians – would know the chronological events pertaining to this history. It is important to know the history of Sarawak and its struggles before achieving independence. By doing this, the new generation will appreciate what the contributions of their forefathers were. — Jisin Nyud, Sarawak Teachers’ Union president

I aM very happy and honoured that Miri is selected to host the 51st Malaysia Day celebration this year. With the celebration, we can strengthen ties between the various ethnic groups and backgrounds. We will definitely be there and help support the event. — Marlyn lenggen, 30

HappY Malaysia Day! I am pleased with the celebration, which is declared a public holiday on Sept 16.

Every race is living in harmony together with equal opportunities. We respect each other irrespective of religious background.

We even join the joy of celebrating each other’s festivals such as Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Gawai, Christmas and Hari raya aidilfitri.

This has augured well for the nation as it will generate greater economic growth and so forth.

— Mohd Saleman Ibrahim, 51, clerk

all Sarawakians should support Malaysia Day celebration as it reminds us of our forefathers’ struggles and those who fought for our independence.

To me, the declaration of Malaysia Day should be included in the school textbooks so that our younger generation could better understand how Sarawak and Sabah played an important role in the formation of Malaysia. — penghulu augustine pau, Bintangor

IT is rather confusing for Malaysians to celebrate the 57th National Day and 51st Malaysia Day, when Sept 16 — that has been declared as Malaysia Day since 2010 – should be the National Day.

By right, Malaysia Day is National Day, and we should be celebrating our 51st National Day, and not 57th.

Our National Day should be Sept 16, not aug 31. — Temenggong lu Kim Yong, president of Federation of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese associations

MIrI is the most suitable venue for the celebration because of its status as city and is still rapidly developing. Sarawak, in particular Miri, also reflects the real 1Malaysia concept, where not only the Malays, Chinese and Indians live in peace and harmony but also other races such as the Orang Ulu people.

— Yudep apoi, procurement Manager, 32

SaraWaKIaNS take pride that 51 years ago on Sept 16, 1963, Sarawak together with Sabah, Federated States of Malaya and Singapore (Singapore left in 1965) formed our beloved country, Malaysia, as partners

as the 1Malaysia inclusiveness subscribed by prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun razak, Sarawak’s spirit of harmony among people of various ethnics, races and religions and culture is manifestly evident.

It is only in Sarawak that we find Muslims and Christians live side by side and for many under the same roof, in harmonious settings despite their difference beliefs and regional dialects.

Sarawakians send their children to government, private or mission schools while Bumiputera children have the opportunity to enter Chinese schools.

— Datuk Sebastian Ting, SUpp secretary-general

• Increase oil and gas royalties to 20 per cent.• Close the development gap between peninsular Malaysia, and Sarawak and Sabah.• allocate more funds for rural areas to close disparity between urban and rural developments.• Fair policy for all races.• Eliminate racial bigots and religious extremists in the country.• More funds to upgrade rural schools.• Equal opportunities for education, business, and civil service.• Take cognizance that Malaysia came into being on Sept 16, 1963.• More representation in parliament. • recognise and implement the 18-point agreement.

Wish list of Sarawakians

THE significance of Sept 16, 1963 must be passed on to the younger generation so that they would treasure the date when Sarawak helped to form Malaysia. While all of us celebrate the National Day on aug 31, it is on this date (Sept 16, 1963) that Malaysia came into being. I do not know what it was like back in 1963, as I was only born in 1967. My wish for Malaysia, which is rich in natural resources, is for it to continue to prosper; and for racial unity and harmony to be further strengthened. — Tuai rumah Eddy Jemat

I WaS a Form Three student in 1963 and I can still recall some of the things that took place in the last 51 years. There were positive developments and negative ones since 1963.

positive developments included urban growth and infrastructure provision such as roads, airports, schools and others. Even the most cynical can see all the physical progress. For sure we have been enjoying general peace and stability where all races live harmoniously with each other. I must say Sarawak has fared quite well over the last 51 years.

The not-so-good thing is that many rural folk are still not enjoying basic things like tar-sealed roads, treated water, electricity and clinics as well as good schools, jobs and income. There is wide disparity in economic status between urban and rural people. Most Sarawakians want to catch up with the peninsula and to be at par in all things.

— Dato peter Minos, Social activist

THE significance of Sept 16, 1963, has been much forgotten or left in the backburner all these years until recently. Indeed this is a very important date for us Sarawakians as it marked the day Sarawak helped to form Malaysia. It must be corrected that we did not join Malaysia as there was no Malaysia before that (date). I still recall vividly quiet it was in Sibu on that date. Then I was a 23-year-old assistant manager of Sarawak Hotel. perhaps back then, not much was known about the date among the residents here, except for politicians and government servants. But with more information available, the younger generation now is better informed about the difference between Sept 16, 1963 and aug 31, 1957.

— Johnny Wong, Sarawak Central region Hotel association chairman

I aM so glad that Malaysia Day is finally appropriately, celebrated and recognised. This is the time for the rest of Malaysia to recognise and appreciate the sacrifices of Sabah and Sarawak.

I also hope Sabahans and Sarawakians get the appropriate share of developments, funds, promotions, and recognition.

Sabah and Sarawak should not be equated as one of the states in Malaysia.

Sarawak is definitely part of Malaysia. When I travel overseas, I always say I’m from Malaysia. But as a representative for Sarawak, and as a representative from a Sarawak-based political party, I must fight for Sarawak in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Day celebration “is beyond a government event”, and I look forward to the day when the celebration comes from the people, rather than organised by the government.

— Senator prof Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, SUpp president

SaraWaKIaNS must be realistic and pragmatic that there is still much improvements to be done for the state, and the question of separating from the Federation of Malaysia should never arise.

Our past leaders have thought of everything – from security, developments and others – before they decided to form Malaysia. There have been many positive developments and we want to see more improvements, especially the facilities in the rural areas, where there are still people making do without road access, as well as clean water and electricity supply.

We want to be as developed as other states so that we don’t feel the development gap between peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

— Datuk Fatimah abdullah, Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development

MalaYSIa Day was not recognised until recent years. With people from all background and race coming together to celebrate, it augurs well for politics and overall progress of the country.

More importantly, Malaysians must realise they have been living in a considerably safe and peaceful country in the South East asian region. We must all appreciate this and do our part to see that peace and progress continue to prevail.

— pemanca Ko Wai Neng

SEpT 16 is far more significant than aug 31, as history tells the world there was no Malaysia before Sept 16, 1963.

When the Federation of Malaya gained independence on aug 31, 1957, Sarawak was still ruled by the British. Hence, aug 31 means nothing much to Sarawak, which with Sabah and the Federation of Malaya came together to form Malaysia on Sept16, 1963.

In my opinion, Sept 16 is something bigger than aug 31. Malaysians should value Sept16, a day that is closer to the hearts of Sarawakians and Sabahans.

Sarawak did not seek refuge with the Federation of Malaya, but together with other states formed Malaysia. This is why Sept 16 is more meaningful and should be widely recognised.

— Tan Yit Sheng, honorary chairman of Federation of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese associations (Youth Section)

THE government should promote Malaysia Day, particularly to the rural people in Sarawak who do not seem to really know the meaning of the celebration. In my area in Ulu Sungai Ngemah, the residents there do not really feel the mood because they are still confused between Malaysia Day and Merdeka celebrations. I also think that Sept 16 is more meaningful to us Sarawakians and Sabahans than aug 31 (Merdeka Day).

— penghulu Juni Massam from Nanga Jagau, Sungai Ngemah, Kanowit