By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, July 22: “Sarawak will never bow down to any master or bend to any threat.”
This was the statement made by Persatuan Melayu Sarawak executive member, Adzierul Adenan when he gave his speech at Padang Merdeka at the Sarawak Independence Day Rally organised by Sarawak Association of Peoples’ Aspiration (Sapa).
Though only 19-years-old, Adzierul spoke clearly and firmly that Sarawak will not bend under pressure or threat and will continue to stand up for its rights.
“We will stand on our very own united Sarawak way — proud and unafraid,” he said.
Adzierul who is not related to the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem was one of four speakers at the rally.
Meanwhile, Sapa president Dominique Ng said today was a historical day because thousands of Sarawakians have risen up to advocate for their rights.
“(Prime Minister) Tun (Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) said Sarawak is lazy, that we don’t want to work. They think Sarawak is easy to bully.
“All Sarawakian nationalists now stand firm, we will not let Tun Mahathir look down on us. They see Sarawak as easy to deal with, easy to handle and that five per cent (oil royalty) is enough.
“Pakatan Harapan promised to give 20 per cent oil royalty to Sarawak but he (Dr Mahathir) said if 20 per cent were to be given, Petronas will go bankrupt.
“Let Petronas go bankrupt, but don’t bankrupt Sarawak,” said the former Padungan assemblyman.
He said today would go down in history because Sarawakians now were given the permission or licence to celebrate Sarawak Independence Day.
“The police now is giving us the permit to gather and all know that on this auspicious day, Sarawak achieved its independence,” he said.
Sapa’s rally started at 9am today. It had been raining cats and dogs in Kuching since 8am. Due to the incessant rain, there was only a small of gathering of about 200.
However, at 10.30am, about 1,300 people participating in the “Free Sarawak: Sarawak 56th Independence Day 2019” event organised by Kuching Tradition Handicraft Studies Society joined the Sapa group at Padang Merdeka, having earlier gathered at Song Kheng Hai rugby field.
The rain did not dampen the spirit of the participants who stayed on for two speeches, followed by the hoisting of the Sarawak Crown flag as Fairland Sarawak was sung and a pledge of loyalty to Sarawak was made.
Slogans such as “Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban”, “Hidup Sarawak”, “Sarawak Merdeka”, “Sarawak Keluar Malaysia”, “Sarawak Boleh” and “Sarawak Liberation” were shouted at various times by participants.
The event ended with the singing of “The Exodus Song” which is also known as “The Land is Mine”. — DayakDaily
