KUCHING: Despite the racial, religious and cultural differences, no force can deny the feeling of unity, harmony and solidarity among every Sarawakian.
The feeling is simply natural and spontaneous. It manifests reverence, dignity and honour, said Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos.
“We have lived and co-existed together for many, many years, which naturally makes Sarawak our homeland.
“There is a feeling in every Sarawakian that Sarawak is their one and truly beloved homeland.
“Sarawak was once a sovereign nation with its many races of many religions and cultures living and interacting with each other for years, harmoniously and happily,” said Minos.
He said that, while Sarawak was under the British rule from 1841 to 1963 with a four-year break of Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, these events had created the ‘Sarawakian Spirit’ among the people.
“This spirit goes on even after the formation of Malaysia in 1963. That spirit will last eternally and cannot be extinguished by any force or any situation.
“Once, we were challenged by outsiders, during the Confrontation with Indonesia from 1963 to 1965, Sarawakians got more united and stood as one.
“An attack on one Sarawakian by any outsider is an attack on all Sarawakians. This is the best I can think of why everyone truly and genuinely love Sarawak,” he commented in conjunction with Sarawak Day on July 22.
