KUCHING, July 18: Two NGOs (non-governmental organisations) will be organising the 722 Sarawak Independence Day Summit with the theme ‘Close Encounters with Inconvenient Truths’ on July 23.
Summit coordinator Lina Soo said the summit aims to provide insight and separate facts and fiction on many issues close to heart namely, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sarawak’s oil and gas rights, Borneo States’ rights, freedom of religion, Dayak issues, symbolism of Sarawak Independence Day, and politics today.
Soo who is also Sarawak People’s Aspiration (Aspirasi) president said the summit was also organised as the Sarawak government moves to modify the public holiday on July 22 from ‘Sarawak Independence Day’ to ‘Sarawak Day’, which has caused increasingly confusing and emotive concern for many Sarawakians.
“This will be one core issue for deliberation at the 722 Sarawak Independence Day Summit organised by two NGOs — Sarawak People’s Congress (SPC) and Dayak Interests Group (DIG) on July 23 in Kuching,” said Soo in a press statement today.
She said the speakers appearing in person are Siti Kasim (activist lawyer), Roger Chin (President of Sabah Law Society), Yusuf Abdul Rahman (Honourary Secretary of Suarah Petroleum Group), Paul Raja (President of Dayak National Congress), Dr John Brian Anthony, and George Young who are the prime movers of DIG.
Also sharing the rostrum is university student Mohamed Hyypia Rosmaini who will articulate the hopes and aspiration of Sarawak youth today.
“Hyypia is a strong advocator for greater political participation among the youth and has immense interest in Sarawak’s political development.
“He is actively involved in several youth-led initiatives which include Undi Sarawak, Parliament Digital and Dewan Muda Malaysia and is role model for our youth today who will become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Soo.
There will be a bonus appearance via Zoom from three personalities — influential political analyst James Chin from Tasmania, lawyer Robert Pei from Australia, and regional correspondent Murray Hunter from Thailand, who were invited to give their take on Sarawak Independence Day, she added.
The summit will start from 10am to 5pm, inclusive of lunch, and those interested in attending need to register now by contacting 014-5950511 via WhatsApp. — DayakDaily
