KUCHING, Sept 19: If the actual dates of Malaysia Day and National Day are not important, then what is the significance of those dates?
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth publicity chief Andy Lawrence raised this point when he asserted Aug 31 for National Day and Sept 16 for Malaysia Day are dates which carry relevance to their origins and resemblances.
“All these dates not only carry patriotic themes in them, but are also important learning points and messages.
“The enthusiasm and spirit when celebrating them are reflected in how it originates and domiciles (sic),” he said.
Historical events such as the formation of Malaysia, he added, are indeed important to all citizens of Malaysia unless the people chooses to disregard history.
Echoing the same sentiment, PRS Youth exco member Romio Ding said if dates are not of importance, National Day and Malaysia Day could be exchanged, but that is wrong.
“Telling the people of Malaysia, especially Sabah and Sarawak, that Aug 31, 1957 is Malaysia Day is wrong.
“Malaysia didn’t even exist then. It’s equivalent to making fake news, simply because it is writing erroneous historical facts,” he said in a joint statement with Andy today.
Both Andy and Romio were responding to political analyst Professor Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman who, in a statement yesterday (Sept 18), urged for a stop of unnecessary arguments over the celebration of Malaysia Day.
He emphasised that arguing on how the day should be celebrated, be it on Aug 31, Sept 16 or July 22, is pointless as these dates are all for Malaysians to demonstrate their loyalty to the country and to learn history. — DayakDaily
