By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 31: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth Chief Christopher Gira Sambang has proposed that the history of the formation of Malaysia and the key provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) be taught more comprehensively in our national school curriculum.
Gira said this in a statement over inaccuracies in a recent episode of the ‘Keluar Sekejap’ podcast discussing the MA63.
He said that while constructive discussions on MA63 are welcome, as they help increase public awareness, such discussions must be grounded in historical facts, the Federal Constitution, and official documents such as MA63, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report, and the Cobbold Commission Report.
Gira also added that facts should not be selectively interpreted or misrepresented in ways that may mislead the public.
“For PRS, the priority today is not merely debating history but ensuring the full implementation of the rights and responsibilities agreed upon under MA63. The progress achieved through negotiations between the federal government and the government of Sarawak should continue until all outstanding matters are resolved,” he said.
At the same time, he proposed that the history of Malaysia’s formation and the key provisions of MA63 be taught more comprehensively in the national school curriculum.
“Young Malaysians should understand how Malaysia was formed on September 16, 1963, the respective roles of the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah, and, at that time, Singapore, as well as the rights and responsibilities enshrined in MA63.”
He added that education grounded in historical facts and constitutional principles will provide students with a more accurate understanding of the foundations of our nation.
“As PRS Youth Chief, I firmly believe that education is the most effective way to strengthen national unity. When Malaysians understand the true history of the formation of our country, they will better appreciate the spirit of federalism, respect our diversity, and understand the constitutional rights and responsibilities of every region within the Federation.
“PRS will continue to uphold and defend Sarawak’s rights through constitutional means, historical truth and the spirit of MA63, to ensure that Malaysia continues to progress as a fair, strong, and united federation,” he said.
This followed a statement by Senator Robert Lau, who criticised the podcast episode that examined federalism in Malaysia, the historical background of MA63, and rights over natural resources, particularly petroleum off the coasts of Sarawak and Sabah.
Lau described the episode as rooted in misconceptions about the country’s formation, which risk distorting public understanding of Sarawak and Sabah’s constitutional position. — DayakDaily
