KUCHING, July 19: Sarawak Independence Day on July 22 was an integral part of Sarawak’s history that led to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the formation of a new nation called Malaysia together with Sabah and Malaya.
Political pundit Dato Peter Minos said that without MA63, there would not have been a nation called Malaysia.
“Even though Sarawak created Malaysia with Sabah on Sept 16, 1963, we Sarawakians will never forget Sarawak Independence Day as it is a reminder that this beautiful State was once a sovereign nation with its own territory long accepted and recognised by the world.
“It was the day when Sarawak became independent from British colonial administration and gained independence to self-rule with Kalong Ningkan as the first Chief Minister and Tun Abang Haji Openg as first Governor,” he said in a statement today as Sarawak Independence Day celebration is fast approaching.
Sarawak’s rights and powers, he continued, were clearly spelt out in MA63, but unfortunately Sarawak has not fully enjoyed such authority she deserved since day one.
“That’s why the Sarawak government is aggressively pursuing to reassert her rights which is a very fair and legitimate move.
“What Sarawak is rightfully entitled to under MA63, Sarawak must get and secure them in order to have the power to run Sarawak properly and smoothly with the funding to develop Sarawak equal to and even much more economically advanced than Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia),” he stressed.
In memory of the late former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem for initiating and declaring July 22 as Sarawak Independence Day, Minos once again reminded Sarawakians that it is a vital date for Sarawak.
“Why Sarawak has ‘special’ rights on immigration and a few other matters, and why we cannot be equated to one of the States in Malaya; all these are related to our history and Sarawak Independence Day has a huge role in them all,” he added. — DayakDaily
