HISTORICAL FACTS ON MALAYSIA

By : TAN SRI SIMON SIPAUN

DESAH believes that the people deserve to be told the truth by the government. This is part and parcel of universal democratic values. In this connection, DESAH is perplexed that under Article 160 of the federal constitution ‘merdeka day’ refers to 31st August 1957 and the Federation of Malaysia means the Federation of Malaya Agreement, 1957.

DESAH’s understanding of historical facts is that Malaya gained independence from Britain on 31st August, 1957 six years before the formation of Malaysia on 16th September, 1963. North Borneo gained independence from the British on 31st August, 1963 and Sarawak on 22nd July, 1963.

Historical facts indicate that Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak gained independence on 3 separate and different dates respectively. How can it be possible for all of them to be celebrating their 55th year of independence on 31st August, 2012? It will be more truthful to say that Malaysia is celebrating Malaya’s 55th year of independence on 31st August, 2012.

In the process of creating and promoting genuine national unity and integration, the government should give prominence and priority to the formation of Malaysia on 16th September, 1963. Sadly it took the government 46 years just to acknowledge and accept it as Malaysia Day. But it is better late than never!

DESAH’s attention has been drawn to a news item which appeared on page 2 of the Daily Express on Sunday 2nd September, 2012 in which the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk VK Liew was quoted to have said that the Malaysian government recognizes September 16 as Malaysia Day making it a national public holiday.

He went on to draw comparison between the USA and Malaysia. He pointed out that the USA declared independence on July 4, 1776 and the other states joined on different dates, yet the USA celebrates Independence Day on July 4 every year. DESAH views this comparison as unrealistic because Datuk Liew is not comparing apple for apple.

On July 4, 1776 it was the USA and on July 4, 2012, some 236 years later it is still the USA. The USA never became another country. In the case of Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah never joined Malaya. Together they formed a new country altogether called Malaysia on 16th September, 1963.

DESAH strongly believes that genuine national unity cannot be achieved through the distortion of historical facts by the people in power. It will only produce the opposite effect. Let the truth prevail. - Sabahkini