By Ling Hui
KUCHING, July 17: The Gabungan Anak Sarawak (Gasak) will hold the 722 Convoy in Miri on a smaller scale amid the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period to mark Sarawak Independence Day on July 22.
Co-organiser of 722 Miri Convoy, Yeo Yaw Lee told DayakDaily that a small troop of cars and motorcycles of 10 to 20 people going around Miri city will be hosted by Gasak and organised by its members from Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) and Sarawak Independence Alliance (SIA) to raise awareness of Sarawak’s independence.
He said the first part of the travel route would be 18 kilometres from Jalan Marina 1 to the final stop at Nam Leong Departmental Store Sdn Bhd, Senadin with seven stops in between including Miri’s symbolic places such as Tua Pek Kong Temple, Yu Lan Plaza and Mcity Inn.
The second part of the convoy is still in discussion.
“Although the independence was short lived after Sarawak joined North Borneo, Singapore and Malaya to form the federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, it is the time of the year for all Sarawakians to assess the decision our forefathers made 57 years ago,” said Yeo earlier in a statement.
He added that many of the people were still not aware of the definition of such an occasion even though July 22 has always been a public holiday in Sarawak.
He reiterated that the public holiday was a day meant for Sarawakians to remember the end of Sarawak’s colonial status after gaining independence from the British.
“We (organisers of the convoy) are hoping that this event can educate the younger generation about the ‘real’ history of our motherland, Sarawak.
“We want to also cultivate patriotism among the people of Sarawak and promote love and devotion towards the country (Malaysia),” said Yeo.
In stating this, he believed the event could instill all Sarawakians to unite and fight for their best interests while reminding the state government to effectively safeguard the people’s interests with the sovereignty rights enshrined when Sarawak agreed to form the federation of Malaysia. —DayakDaily
