On this Independence Day, let us be grateful that we have such words and such examples to follow… that others were willing to sacrifice so much to create a land in which liberty and law can be protected. Let us not destroy our history. Let us learn from it by preserving and celebrating what was great and fixing what was not.
— Kristi Noem, American politician
SARAWAKIANS are gearing up for a grand celebration commemorating its 60th Independence Day on July 22.
Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, our Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, said a special publication of a book tracing Sarawak’s journey from 1963 will also be launched on July 22.
He added that the celebration will include a public rally in Kuching, concerts by famous local entertainers, and street parades in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
This year’s celebration will surely be memorable, with a packed schedule of events and activities that have commenced since May.
On my part, I will be celebrating Sarawak Day with a two-day Sarawak Day Blood Donation Campaign on the July 22 and 23 with a team of several NGOs. What better way than to mark Sarawak Day by donating blood and saving the lives of other Sarawakians.
However, I want to take a few steps back. When did you first wake up to or become aware of Sarawak’s rights?
Most of us Sarawakians only had some basic knowledge about it, and this was primarily based on general conversations about the so-called 18 Points.
These 18 Points were originally a set of demands made to safeguard the rights and interests of Sarawak as a precondition to being a partner in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.
They were supposed to be a set of principles that would guide the relationship between Sarawak and the federation.
Instead, over the years, many rights were eroded, including the loss of our oil and gas resources.
Only in 2015, when I heard a talk by activist, the late Zainnal Ajamain, a Sabahan and the author of ‘The Queen’s Obligation’, that a real awakening of sorts on Sarawak rights started.
Zainal gave a talk on the formation of Malaysia on November 22, 2015, in Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Sa’athi Hall in Kuching. The forum was titled ‘A Missing Piece of Our History — Setting the Direction for the Borneo States’.
Two days later, on November 24 2015, Zainnal had a special meeting with the late chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem and had the opportunity to share his views. The rest, as they say, is history.
I want to thank SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew for arranging for some of us from Miri to attend the forum in Kuching for this mind-opening opportunity.
Later, I was happy to assist Ting in organising a series of about four or five talks by Zainnal, with titles such as ‘The Grand Design’, ‘Sarawak, Our Future’, and ‘The Face of Autonomy’ in Miri. Ting was instrumental in inviting Zainnal back to all these forums.
These talks and the subsequent publicity significantly raised awareness about the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), thanks to Zainnal and Sebastian.
Zainnal said he wanted Sarawakians to know their birthrights. He publicised the MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee Report (IGC), and why Sabah and Sarawak agreed to team up with Malaya and Singapore to form Malaysia in 1963.
This awareness about Sarawak’s rights also triggered the SUPP ‘Safeguard Sarawak’ campaign.
In April 2016, Adenan Satem, announced that July 22 would be declared a public holiday in Sarawak. He said this date was chosen because it was the day in 1963 when Sarawak was granted self-government by the British government.
Many Sarawakians consider this date to be Sarawak’s Independence Day, as it was the day when the governor appointed Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan as Sarawak’s first chief minister and the formation of Sarawak’s first ministerial cabinet.
Adenan said that the declaration of Sarawak Independence Day was meant to improve historical awareness of this event among Sarawakians and Malaysians.
On May 26, 2016, the Chief Minister’s Department announced that July 22 would be an additional public holiday in Sarawak, known as ‘Sarawak Independence Day’. This was gazetted in the Sarawak Government Gazette.
After that, since our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg took over the helm of steering Sarawak through the rough waters of reclaiming Sarawak rights, we have seen significant progress towards more autonomy.
Abang Johari continues to emphasise that he aims to ensure that the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 includes all Sarawakians and provides equal opportunities and fair distribution of wealth, enabling all to thrive through employment and business opportunities.
Overall, the introduction of Sarawak Independence Day has benefited Sarawakians in many ways. It has raised awareness of Sarawakians’ rights amongst our people and politicians, thereby putting Sarawak’s elected representatives on their toes. It has also led to increased discussion about Sarawak’s place in Malaysia.
So mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Sarawak Independence Day on July 22 every year!
On this diamond jubilee, let us raise a glass to Sarawak, its people and its rich history.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
