I read with interest the article submitted by Z.A of Kuala Lumpur that was published in the New Straits Times’ Letter to the Editor column last 19 Sept. 2008.
The writer claim that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have never objected to 16 Sept. as a working day until a few politicians suggested otherwise. However, that is not true. The majority of the people of Sabah and Sarawak has always been asking for 16 Sept. to be made a national holiday. However, the leaders from Sabah and Sarawak has never brought the matter up with the Federal government. Maybe our leaders from Sabah and Sarawak did brought it up, they never mention about it to the rakyat.
The writer took the United States as an example where 4th July as their Independence Day, eventhough other states joined the already 13-states federation. In this context, we in Sabah and Sarawak should never be compared as such because Sabah and Sarawak DID NOT JOINED Malaysia. There has never been A MALAYSIA to join at that particular time. We actually ASSISTED the FORMATION of MALAYSIA together with Singapore and the Federation of Malaya, which saw the birth of a new entity called Malaysia on 16 September 1963.
Therefore, 16 Sept. should be commemorate as a national public holiday. We should also celebrate 31 August as Merdeka Day too commemorate the independence of Malaya from the British colony, just like India who have similar case like we do. India have two national public days – their Independence Day and their Republic Day.
On the issue of Malaysia having so many public holidays, there is no way to avoid it since we have more than 30 ethnic groups in Malaysia.
You may not feel it there in West Malaysia, but it means a lot to us in Sabah and Sarawak.
If there is any other territory who wish to join us in the future, then, the leaders of the future should make it happen on 16 Sept., or otherwise, we will be having another issue of a public national holiday.
Finally, you should be thankful to us and to our ancestors who have given their consent to form Malaysia. Otherwise, we could have enjoy the resources all on our own.
Sabah and Sarawak are PARTNERS with Malaya.
Sabah and Sarawak NEVER JOINED Malaya.
Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya FORMED Malaysia.
Exactly! We never joined Malaysia but, formed Malaysia. Why is it just us, East Malaysians, who realised this very important point here? What is the significant of 16 Sept if it’s not commemorated as a national public holiday?
agik idup agik ngelaban!!
“Biar luput anang cabut”!!
A glad that finally we will have Malaysia Day on 16 Sept.
Can anybody explain why Sarawak and Sabah being EQUAL PARTNERS, in the formation of Malaysia, are now downgraded to the status of Selangor and other Malayan states? Why are we demoted?
16 Sept 1963 is Malaysia’s National day meanwhile 31 August 1975 is Malaya’s day! The distinction between two dates are very clear. Whereas Malaya its self cannot be Malaysia without Sarawak + Sabah.
The formula is very simple;
Malaysia = (Malaya -a)+ (Sarawak + Sabah = Sia)
Means: Malaysia was FORMED through the elimination of (a) Malaya (meaning not being selfish) and joining the Sia (Sarawak Sabah “saya org bah itu”) to form a mutual partnership of Malay and Sia = Malaysia.
But now the partnership has became a dictatorship by the malayas. They became selfish blood sucker. “Sia org punya” Gas and Petroleum are all belong to the malayas they only give us 5cent to buy kissme!