Aug 31 Is Malaya S Independence Day So Merdeka Day Celebration Is Irrelevant To Borneo States

---

 
“YOU can fool some people some of the time. But you can’t fool all of the people, all of the time,” sang the late reggae superstar Bob Marley on the seminal protest tune, Get Up, Stand Up.
That is the precise contention of Sarawak rights activist Peter John Jaban who declared: “We call on the government to stop fooling us by confusing Malaya’s independence with Malaysia’s nationhood. Respect history as it is.”
In a pithy media statement, community group Saya Anak Sarawak founder pointed out that: “For decades, the government emphasised Aug 31 as ‘National Day’ for all Malaysians, even in Sabah and Sarawak.”
The activist who is of Dayak Iban heritage highlighted, “We Sarawakians have never regarded it as Malaysia’s ‘National Day’ because Malaysia did not even exist in 1957. Why called Aug 31 Malaysia National Day (Hari Kebangsaan)?”

Justification
The correct date for Malaysia’s National Day – in Jaban’s reckoning – should be Sept 16 to commemorate the formation of modern Malaysia comprising Peninsular states (then known as Malaya), Singapore (later expelled), and Sabah and Sarawak in 1963.
Hence, the broadcaster behind Radio Free Sarawak surmised that Aug 31 is of little relevance to the people of Borneo state. His rationale:
“Aug 31 marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957.  At that time, only Malaya existed (not Malaysia yet).
Peter John Jaban“It’s celebrated as Hari Kebangsaan or Merdeka Day and is mostly relevant to Peninsular Malaysia.

“The truth is clear that Aug 31 is actually Hari Kemerdekaan Malaya while July 22, 1963 is Sarawak’s Independence Day. Sep 16, 1963 is the actual birthday of Malaysia (Hari Malaysia/Malaysia Day.”\
Righting the wrong
Thus, the Deputy President of Global Human Rights (Malaysia) called on the government to correctly mark the holidays as follows:
“Celebrate Aug 31 as Malaya’s independence. Celebrate July 22 as Sarawak’s independence Day or Sarawak Day. Celebrate Sept 16 as Malaysia’s National Day.”
Added Jaban: “My observation reflects a strong sentiment among Sarawakians. Many people in Sarawak no longer feel Aug 31 represents their independence or national identity because Malaysia wasn’t even formed in 1957.
“Since four years ago, the Malaysian flag is hardly seen flying in Sarawak on Aug 31. This is not because Sarawakians are unpatriotic but because for us, Aug 31 is not our National Day. It’s Malaya’s Independence Day.”



A few pertinent issues that this media statement highlights.
Firstly, this convenient whitewashing of historical dates is unacceptable. To label Aug 31 as National Day is not only wrong but shows a complete disregard for historical accuracy and what “independence” actually means.
Secondly, the lack of emphasis on Sep 16 aside from it being a public holiday alludes to a sense that there is apathy, or worse, ignorance of what the date signifies. As Jaban insinuated, there is little regard for the contribution the Borneo states have made towards the nation.
Thirdly, to keep marginalising the Borneo states in such a fashion is only feeding the sentiment among Sabahans and Sarawakians that they do not belong to this so-called “Federation”.
“Without Sept 16, 1963, there would be no Malaysia so this is the true birthday of Malaysia. Anything else is an insult to history and to Sabahans and Sarawakians. Stop calling it Malaysia’s National Day/Hari Kebangsaan,” Jaban hammered home. –  Focus Malaysia

---