KUCHING: SUPP Youth Central chairman, Michael Tiang reckoned that for too long Sarawak was perceived as being one of the 13 states in Malaysia, instead of being one of three founding states to the Federation of Malaysia which had consistently been the biggest contributor to the national coffer since 1963.
“The State government’s decision to declare July 22 as Sarawak Independence Day in 2016 was a monumental step which allows Sarawakians to show their appreciation to the State when in fact it is a sovereign state in the Federation of Malaysia.
“We are a sovereign state that owns territorial boundaries and waters as well as all the minerals and natural resources therein. In State governance, our sovereignty includes among others a State cabinet with a chief minister and ministers, local governments and immigration powers.
“722 is a special day to remind our people of all these important facts which have never been taught in our national syllabus,” he said.
He added, “It is equally important to celebrate on such a day the harmony of our multiracial, multicultural and multireligious community which is so deeply embedded in our community that it becomes the synonym for Sarawak.
“I wish all Sarawakians will continue to safeguard the unity of such diversity at all costs, particularly the Sarawak government which has been urged to review and abolish any public policies based on race.
“Instead, our government should be making new policies to help the weak and poor so as to ensure no Sarawakian is left behind,” Tiang concluded.
