KUCHING: We were Malaysia yesterday, we are Malaysia now, we are Malaysia tomorrow, and we are Malaysia forever.
These words, once uttered by the late Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was cited yesterday by Chief Minister, Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg in his speech at the Sarawak Day celebrations at the Kuching Waterfront here.
Johari also recalled the time when former Chief Minister and current Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud decided that 22 July would be recognised as the day when Sarawak were given the power of self-rule by the British colonial government.
The late Adenan, he said, took it further by declaring the day as a public holiday for the state.
Speaking on the formation of Malaysia, Johari said circumstances at that time were different from today’s circumstances.
“We were not only a backwater, undeveloped country but also poor and poverty was rife.
“We were under the threat of communism, China was trying to expand and Indonesia was dominated by Parti Komunis Indonesia which had territorial claims in this region. Philippines was also hostile at that time because it lay claim on Sabah.
“Under the circumstances, knowing that we could not defend ourselves alone, we looked for safety in the Commonwealth and fellow Malaysians from Malaya but at the same time, we were jealous of our independence.
“That was why after agreeing to be a part of Malaysia in principle, we insisted on certain terms and conditions which gave us autonomy over many aspects of constitutional life,” he said.
Johari also addressed the friction that arose between the federal and state governments as the state government was not satisfied about the centralisation of power in Kuala Lumpur.
The issue, he said, had been resolved by adopting the policy of give and take.
“There’s no need for Sarawak to exit Malaysia but being in Malaysia does not mean that we cannot negotiate with the federal government to get back our rights and what belongs to us as we only want what belongs to us; it is simple as that.
“I sincerely hope that our fellow Sarawakians will continue to give me the support to discuss with the federal government and find amicable solutions to the central issue of the devolution of power back to Sarawak,” he said.
The Chief Minister also thanked the Prime Minister as well as the Deputy Prime Minister for being open always for discussions with the state on the subject matter.
“Malaysia has been a success story as we have developed by leaps and bounds over the years.
“However, it is still not a perfect union but we strive to be a perfect union in the years to come,” he said.
Among those present at the event were the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Johari’s wife, Datin Amar Datuk Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian who is also the Minister in charge of this year’s Sarawak Day, Deputy Chief Ministers, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and State Cabinet Ministers.
