Among the fond recollections of my schooldays in Long Semadoh Primary School are vivid memories of Malaysia Day celebrations when we had sports carnivals in the school. The day was also our Hari Ibu Bapa and it was eagerly anticipated each year. Teams from Indonesia would come to our village to compete in football matches, reciprocating our visits to their villages the month before, on their Independence Day, Aug 17.
In the 60s our celebrations were on a big scale, involving many hours of preparations and many participants for the various events organised. To my disappointment, the Malaysia Day celebrations died away, as we were increasingly encouraged to celebrate Aug 31 as Hari Merdeka.
After I was first elected to represent the people of Ba’kelalan, I reintroduced the Malaysia Day celebrations in 2010. The idea was received with great enthusiasm and ever since then, Malaysia Day has been celebrated on a grand scale again every year in Ba’kelalan, with participants from across the border joining us like in the old days.
The people take interest in organising various activities in collaboration with the District Office and I have made it a point to attend the festivities every year.
In the last 10 years or so, I have noticed a gradual change in Sarawak. More and more, people are flying the Jalur Gemilang on Sept 16 instead of Aug 31, reflecting the growing awareness of the significance of Malaysia Day. This consciousness can only be good for the nation, as it shows a maturing people for whom historical truth matters.
I am glad that the government declared in 2010 that Sept 16 would be a public holiday to commemorate Malaysia Day each year. It is only right that the truth be acknowledged, late though it may be. The celebration of our country’s formation, when carried out with respect for historical accuracy will foster better ties between peninsula Malaysia and Sarawak and Sabah.
As an extension and progression of this recognition of Malaysia Day, we would like to see the federal government acknowledge our rights set out in the agreement under which Malaysia was created. It is time they stop condescending to us as a ‘state’ within Malaysia but treat us as equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia.
We want our rights to be respected as guaranteed in the agreement, we need our petroleum royalty to be increased to a fairer share and we must have our territorial integrity restored to us.
So much has gone wrong these past 53 years and Sarawakians are paying a heavy price today. Our own leaders must take part of the responsibility for our woes as they have allowed this situation to develop, being in coalition with the BN/Umno federal government, and indeed, many are guilty of exploiting our own people also.
Lip service, no action
If the federal government continues to merely pay us lip service without any concrete action, it will be difficult to gain our co-operation and respect. Many issues are in crucial need of attention, such as our schools and education system, healthcare, infrastructure, employment, and security. Racial discrimination and restrictions on our freedom of religion are continuing to plague us, due largely to the policies of the federal government.
Sarawakians have been patient for 53 years, but we are prepared to be patient no longer. The chief minister voiced his frustration last week when he said bluntly, “If we are left behind by 10 to 20 years, I can still understand but if we are behind by half a century, I can’t tolerate it any more.”
His statement expresses what every Sarawakian feels. We have not benefitted from this Malaysia Agreement. Malaya has progressed by leaps and bounds and Sarawak has fallen further behind than we were 53 years ago. What is the solution for us?
The way I see it, the chief minister has to take the lead. His duty to Sarawak and Sarawakians is far more critical than his loyalty to his political allies, BN/Umno. They are the ones who have played us out all these years, and they will continue to do so as long as PBB are a part of BN.
The chief minister is in a strong position, having won a huge mandate from the people, to cut the cord that binds him to them. It is time for him to stand on his own to really let the Sarawak voice be heard in Putrajaya. It is time for us to move out of the shadows and take our rightful place in Malaysia. It is time for Sarawak to flourish and prosper.
I wish all Malaysians a Happy Malaysia Day.
BARU BIAN is the state assemblyperson for Ba'kelalan and Sarawak PKR chief. -Mkini
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