January 13, 2010, Wednesday
Amidst the public debate that has taken place in coffee shops, kampungs, longhouses and villages as to whether Malaysia Day should be celebrated on Sept 16 in place of Merdeka Day (Independence Day) on Aug 31 every year because the Federation of Malaysia was formed with the merger of Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah on Sept 16, 1963, the inaugural Malaysia Day celebration was eventually held on Oct 10, 2009 in Kuching.When Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak took over as Prime Minister from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, one of the noblest things he did was to declare Sept 16, Malaysia Day, as a public holiday.
In retrospect, Oct 10, 2009 saw some 15,000 people from all walks of life from far and near converge at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, transforming it into a sea of flags and colourful costumes of hundreds of dancers and performers in total pomp and pageantry.
The colourful presentations and cultural performances by artistes from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak depicted the concept of 1Malaysia.
It also reflected the multi-ethnic composition of the country.
Padang Merdeka vibrated with the thunderous dance performances Selamat Datang 1Malaysia 1Semangat, 1Tekad, 1Aspirasi welcoming the VVIPS including Head of State Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Muhammad Salahuddin and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah; Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud; Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Husin; and Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Datuk Painggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang as well as state and federal ministers.
Najib urged for more efforts to promote Malaysia Day so that the succeeding generations would know the historical significance of events that took place on Sept 16, 1963.
Malaysia Day means a lot because that was when Sabah and Sarawak agreed to achieve independence through the formation of Malaysia.
The leaders at that the time decided that Sarawak and Sabah would prosper and become secure as part of Malaysia.
Peninsular Malaysia is undeniably leading in terms of physical development but in terms of unity, many agree that Sabah and Sarawak are ahead as the multi-ethnic communities in the two states have been living in peace and harmony, which reflects the true spirit of the 1Malaysia concept and they are examples of 1Malaysia.
Malaysians should continue to uphold the spirit of 1Malaysia with sincerity that transcends political gimmicks, misinterpretations and dry humour wholeheartedly to preserve social harmony and to foster goodwill, understanding and tolerance among the various races.
Concerted efforts should be enhanced to instil a sense of belonging among the people of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
It is better to use the term Malaysia instead of East and West Malaysia.
It is noted that, there are still incidences where people from either Sabah or Sarawak visiting Peninsular Malaysia are greeted with the words ‘Welcome to Malaysia’.
The celebration of Malaysia Day should remind Malaysians of our heroes’ battles and struggles to achieve independence for, without the leadership and determination of past leaders, Malaysia would not be what it is today.
Hence it is very fitting that 10 Malaysians, three each from Sarawak and Sabah and four from Peninsular Malaysia were picked to receive awards not only as tokens of appreciation but recognition for their excellent contributions to the nation.
We are indeed proud and salute three Anak Sarawak as Tokoh Kemerdekaan in the persons of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Mohd Nor — former State Secretary; Dato Sri Philomena Tra Zehnder — Sarwak’s first woman Member of Council Negeri and founder of Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS); and veteran Bidayuh politician Dato Sri Dominic Dagok Randen.
Malaysians must carry on the 1Malaysia spirit taking the nation in the direction for continued socioeconomic progress and prosperity, goodwill, understanding, peace and harmony and not to be unduly influenced by religious, ethnic and cultural extremism and fanaticism.
United we stand and divided we fall. Salam 1Malaysia.
Roland Duncan Klabu is the Special Coordinator for Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM). 3rd Voice is published fortnightly and was initiated by AZAM and SDI.
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