By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 19: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been urged to publish a dedicated history book on Sarawak Independence Day on July 22, 1963, to deepen the younger generation’s understanding of the State’s history and identity.
According to Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Sarawak Day is more than an annual event as it serves as an important platform to strengthen public awareness of Sarawak’s history, identity, and rights.
He said Sarawak’s history should be documented and studied more comprehensively so that the people, especially the younger generation, can better understand the state’s identity and struggles.
“Sarawak’s history needs to be documented and studied more thoroughly so that the people, particularly the younger generation, understand the identity and struggles of this State,” he said when speaking at the Semarak Kemerdekaan Hari Sarawak 2026 programme in Kampung Triboh, Serian, on Saturday (July 18), as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
He also said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government remains committed to safeguarding Sarawak’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), with reclaiming authority over education and healthcare among its key priorities.
Meanwhile, Ukas director Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan said the Semarak Hari Sarawak 2026 programme is an initiative by the unit aimed at engaging local communities while fostering a stronger sense of pride and love for Sarawak.
He said Kampung Triboh was selected as the programme venue as part of a continuing series of events previously held in several other locations, allowing more communities to participate in and appreciate the significance of Sarawak Day.
“As Sarawakians, the observance of Sarawak Day marks a significant historical milestone that highlights the struggle for Sarawak’s rights and identity.
“Perhaps we, as parents, already understand this history, but we also need to continuously instil knowledge of Sarawak’s history in our school-going children,” he said.
Awang Putrayusrie added that the programme also served as a platform to strengthen ties between leaders, community heads, and residents through grassroots engagement, while reaching out to youths through healthy and community-based activities. — DayakDaily
