KUCHING, July 7: Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) Kuching is expecting about 5,000 people to attend its 722 Independence Day celebration this July 22.
Its spokesperson, Tan Kok Chiang, claimed the movement had received enthusiastic responses from the outskirts, where more than 1,000 had expressed interest to participate.
“We hope on that day, Kuching people will come and support our activity. I believe about 5,000 will turn up to support it,” Tan told a press conference here today.
He said S4S would provide transport, food, drinks and flags for those from outstation.
“We have been brought to the knowledge that Sarawak is a territory by (the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri) Adenan (Satem), which is supported by (present Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi) Abang Jo.
“722 (July 22) is an important day for us and our march to Padang Merdeka is thus meaningful,” said Tan.
He said the aim of the 722 march is to remind Sarawakians of their place and the state’s status as a territory within Malaysia, and not a state.
“And to realise that, it all depends on Sarawakians, whether we want to be just one of the 13 states or one-third partner within Malaysia.”
He said the 722 March would start from two meeting points: Reservoir Park and Kuching Civic Centre. Gathering at the two points will start at 7.30am and the march will begin at 9am.
Meanwhile, a local school bus operator, Bong Chin Fat, has volunteered to ferry those living in Siniawan to Padang Merdeka on July 22.
He said he was doing it out of his own freewill because he shared the same vision as S4S.
Claiming that he was apolitical, he said he wanted to do it as gratitude to Adenan, who gazetted July 22 as a public holiday, gave grants to Chinese independent schools, and for saying that the Chinese were not “pendatang”.
“I am also doing this because I appreciate the harmony in Sarawak, where all races live harmoniously together. We should not take this for granted,” said Bong. — DayakDaily
