Academicians hope Malaysia Day significance understood by younger generation
KUCHING: It has been 59 years since the Federation of Malaysia was formed and September 16 marks the day where four territories joined together under a single umbrella.
September 16 is a significant date, not just for public holiday, but a reminder to the people especially to the younger generations of what our leaders have gone through to unite the country.
Originally, Malaya, North Borneo (renamed as Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore (later expelled on August 9, 1965) united to form a federation in 1963.
However, awareness about the history Malaysia Day on Sept 16 needs to be continuously spread across the society, moreover to those born after 1963.
Apart from that, through education of history of the celebration in schools, the new generations can be instilled with good moral values, respect for diversity and promoting unity.
Most educators expressed that the effort to spread the awareness of Malaysia Day on Sept 16 among younger Malaysians should be done to maintain and preserve the unity of our multiracial society.
Malaysians also need to understand and appreciate the significance of the celebration that can arouse the spirit of patriotism, love and affection for Malaysia.
Siti Haslina Hussin
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Language and Communication (UNIMAS)
“Personally, I think the concept of Malaysian federation must be truly understood. Maybe for those who were born before 1963, the formation of the new federation was a significant event because they saw the changes taking place. Unlike the new generations, they were born when Malaysia was already formed. Thus, the significance of seeing changes might not be that relevant anymore. To them, they are all Malaysians. One of the ways to make people aware about Malaysia Day is to make them see themselves as Malaysians. No such labelling as “Orang Semenanjung”, “Orang Sarawak” or “Orang Sabah”. After all, we are all Malaysians. That’s the spirit.”
MALIA TAIBI
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Language and Communication (UNIMAS)
“One of the ways to instil awareness among Malaysians on the significance of Malaysia Day is by reading the history of our country’s independence and the formation of Malaysia. These two things are interrelated and we need to understand the struggle and sacrifices that our past leaders have made in order to appreciate the significance of Malaysia Day. At the same time, instilling the love for our country can also be translated into educating young children in schools by exposing them to perform activities that can instil good moral values, and respect for diversity, promoting unity and a sense of belonging to the country and nation.”
JAMALI BUJANG SANAWI
Lecturer, Faculty of Language and Communication (UNIMAS)
Malaysia Day is not only an annual celebration of our nationhood but it is also a historical reminder of the struggles of our forefathers in building the Malaysia that we have today. Therefore, we as Malaysian need to understand and appreciate the significance of this celebration. I do believe that the government and even the private sectors in this country have done quite a lot in educating the masses about Malaysia Day and promoting a sense of pride in being Malaysian through various initiatives which involve the usage of traditional and new media. The least that I can do is to spread awareness of the importance of this day to the younger generations in my family and my close circle.”
DR VIMALA GOVINDARAJU
Lecturer, Faculty of Language and Communication (UNIMAS)
“Celebrating Malaysia Day can arouse the spirit of patriotism, love, and affection for the country. This is a historic event for Malaysians to remember our past leaders’ contributions toward nation-building after we gained independence in 1957. For this reason, we should celebrate the day this great nation was formed. The formation of Malaysia has allowed us to enjoy the fruits of development as well as peace and stability. We must all work hard to maintain and preserve the unity of our multiracial society.”
DR SITI ZANARIAH AHMAD ISHAK
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (UNIMAS)
“I am proud to be Malaysian and wishing all Happy Malaysia Day! Let’s remember all past heroes who established, united and developed our beloved nation that comprises Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Echoing Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed”, it is timely for us to adopt sustainable living to create prosperity and beautiful environment for Malaysia.”
