SIBU: Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee has proposed introducing an additional programme or subject focused on Sarawak history in schools.
The Pelawan assemblyman said this approach could serve as a temporary measure while waiting for Sarawak history to be included in national textbooks.
“If they cannot include Sarawak history in textbooks at this national stage, I think Sarawak should start by including Sarawak history in our (Sarawak) schools textbook.
“We can do it as an extra programme or subject in Sarawak schools. I think that there won’t be any difficulty for the Sarawak government to do that,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the 722 Run For Sarawak programme at Tun Zaidi Adruce Stadium here, today (July 21).
Earlier, Tiang, in his speech, pledged his full support to Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing, and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil proposal to include Sarawak history in school textbooks.
“Sarawak is part of Malaysia. The whole of Malaysia needs to understand Sarawak’s history, including Sabah’s history, of course,” Tiang said.
On 15 July, Penguang, in an exclusive interview with Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) through the Juh Randau programme, proposed including Sarawak Independence Day in the national history curriculum to educate future generations about the importance of July 22, a date celebrated annually in Sarawak.
“This is something that we need to instil in our memory and pass on to future generations so that they understand the importance of the date, especially what happened before and after Sarawak Day,” he said.
The Marudi assemblyman also stressed the importance of distinguishing between three key dates in Malaysia’s history: Independence Day on 31 August, 1957; Malaysia Day on 16 September, 1963; and Sarawak Day on 22 July, 1963.
