Our flag is not just one of many political points of view. Rather, the flag is a symbol of our national unity.
– Adrian Cronauer, US Airforce airman
It was interesting to read about how two great leaders have come together for the sake of national unity.
Last week Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg announced that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had suggested that the Malaysia Day celebration be held in Kuching on September 16.
This plan was duly accepted by the honourable Sarawak leader and the show will go on.
It is not only a wise decision in the name of Malaysian solidarity but also appropriate because it is time for the one-year-old federal government to forge closer ties with Sarawak.
Remember, 56 years ago on Malaysia Day, Abang Johari’s father, Tun Abang Openg Abang Sapiee, became the first local Governor of Sarawak. On that fateful day, Malaysia Day was celebrated with pomp and splendour and its special moments were captured in the late chronicler Ho Ah Chon’s collection of Sarawak pictures and “Sarawak Historical Events 1963-1972”.
A dear old friend who lived near my house at Tabuan Desa, the late uncle Ah Chon and I often met and shared stories because he was a close friend of my parents and philanthropist Datuk and Datin Amar Wee Hood Teck.
Governor Tun Ahmad Zaidi in his foreword of the publication praised Ah Chon for his effort in compiling the publication comprising media reports from the Sarawak Tribune and Sarawak Information Services.
Zaidi said, “The efforts made by Encik Ho Ah Chon in compiling the book … captures the various historical events through the lens of the camera starting from 1963 when Sarawak became independent within Malaysia.
“It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words and considering the wide collection of photographs contained in this book and the relevant description and comments made by Mr Ho Ah Chon on the various photographs, this book may prove to be a useful source of reference especially for students of history of the country since Malaysia Day.”
Ah Chon, who has published more than 30 books on Sarawak history, in his message said all pictures in his pictorial book which were very appropriately captioned together with illustrations and descriptions had been reported over news media and in various newspapers.
“The compilation of this pictorial book is purely for historical interest and record purpose. And as memories are short, it is a reminder of the good old days which may otherwise be lost forever,” he said.
So, what was it like in Kuching during Sarawak’s inaugural Malaysia Day celebrations on September 16, 1963?
The grand ceremony started a day before Independence Day when the last Sarawak colonial Governor Sir Alexander Waddell and his wife left the Astana at 12.35pm in a yellow-roofed barge for Pangkalan Batu.
A news report said, “On arrival, Lady Waddell was presented with some beautiful orchids – she is an orchid lover – by a Brownie, Theresa Chung of the 4th Pack, St Theresa’s School, Padungan.
“Sir Alexander, resplendent in his ceremonial uniform, moved to take a salute from a guard of honour mounted by the men of the Sarawak constabulary, the Sarawak Field Force, and the Royal Marine Commandos.”
After the guard-of-honour, Waddell was accompanied to Pangkalan Batu by Governor Datuk Abang Openg, his wife Datin Masniah, Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan, Federal Minister for Sarawak Affairs Temenggong Jugah Barieng and other VIPs.
After saying his goodbyes to Openg, Ningkan, Jugah, Chief Justice Sir Campbell Wylie, Council Negri Speaker Dr M Sockalingam, chairman of the Public Services Union and senior government officers, the last Governor and his wife boarded a Royal Navy frigate HMS Loch Killisport for a Sarawak River send-off.
The sunny morning of the first Malaysia Day on September 16, 1963 was also a grand affair.
Even before the official ceremony, the Central Padang was packed with thousands of people with the Independence dais flanked by the VIP grand-stand at the far end of the parade ground facing the present Yayasan Sarawak building.
The first units to arrive for the ceremony included the Sarawak Constabulary band, 5th Royal Malay Regiment, 42 Commandos, Royal Marines, Sarawak Police Field Force, Ex-Services Association, Boys Scouts, Girl Guides, Boys Brigade and Red Cross.
At 8am the Chief Justice, Commissioner of the Constabulary, Commander of the British Forces in Sarawak, Federal Minister Khir Johari prepared to ascend the steps of the dais.
Kalong Ningkan waited for the arrival of Datuk Abang Openg wearing baju “Telok Blangah”, a costume of silk sheathed in a short sarong of gold and maroon “kain songket” and a silk covered songkok.
A 21-gun salute was accorded as the new Governor emerged from his limousine accompanied by Ningkan him to the dais where “God Save the Queen” was played for the last time.
Khir Johari was first to read the Proclamation of Malaysia followed by the National Anthem “Negara Ku”
Kalong Ningkan then read the Sarawak proclamation declaring that “Whereas one of the nine cardinal principles of the Rule of the Rajahs was that the goal of self-government shall always be kept in mind and that the people of Sarawak shall be entrusted in due course with the governance of themselves.”
Another excerpt of the proclamation read, “And whereas this principle accords with the policy which Her Majesty’s government by an agreement entered into the 9th day of July, 1963 with the government of the Federation of Malaya, the Government of the State of Singapore and the colonies of Sarawak and North Borneo shall be federated with the Federation of Malaya, and that the said Federation shall be known as Malaysia.”
Following this the Sarawak flag was raised and the State anthem played.
Come September 2019, these poignant events 56 years ago will be reignited.
It will be moments to treasure for posterity, indeed for our 94-year-old Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir and Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, both pioneers of Malaysia’s independence.
It will also be an opportunity for all Sarawakians to stand together with our Sabah compatriots and Peninsular Malaysian counterparts, in the best Malay tradition of silaturahim (friendship) and camaraderie.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the New Sarawak Tribune.
