KUCHING, Sept 9: Sarawak will proceed to hold its state-level Malaysia Day celebrations this year despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, albeit virtually.
The event, which is scheduled to take place on Sept 16 at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly complex will held in a hybrid format and on a smaller scale with limited attendance to 100 people.
Minister in-charge Datuk Lee Kim Shin said this important event is to commemorate the establishment of a new nation, Malaysia, 58 years ago that saw Malaya, North Borneo (which was renamed Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore coming together.
Two years later, Singapore left the union on Aug 9, 1965.
Prior to the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak gained self-governance on July 22, 1963.
“An event like this is very important because it provides an opportunity for the people, especially the new generation, to learn and remember our history so that they have a better understanding and appreciate the struggles of the national leaders who contributed to the development of Malaysia. That is why Malaysia Day is declared a public holiday.
“We must be aware that Sarawak is a partner to the formation of Malaysia and without such a partnership, there will be no Malaysia. Some people still say that Sarawak joined Malaysia, which was never the case.
“It was Sarawak, Sabah, Singapore and Malaya that came together to form Malaysia during that time. But Singapore left Malaysia and became an independent nation two years later,” he said during a media conference today.
Themed “Malaysia Prihatin” (Malaysia Cares), Lee explained that it is the same as last year’s because the country is still fighting against Covid-19.
It also indicates what the Federal and State government have done for the people by jointly extending various assistances and creating various initiatives to ease the people’s burden.
“The Sarawak government has implemented seven Sarawakku Sayang Special Assistance packages worth more than RM4 billion while the Federal government has allocated a total of RM314.8 billion to help fellow Malaysians in need during this time.
“In addition, the Sarawak government has also provide more than 300 vaccination centers throughout the state and now Sarawak is in second place in terms of its population who have completed their vaccination. To date, almost 88 per cent of Sarawakians aged 18 and above have received two doses of the vaccines,” Lee added.
Meanwhile, among the programmes that will be organised are dance and patriotic song performances; a video presentation titled ‘Malaysia Menang Bersama’ and ‘Our Generations’ and a theater performance titled ‘Air Dicincang Takkan Putus’.
Members of the public can watch the event live at 8.30pm via TV Sarawak (TVS), the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) Facebook account or RTM Radio.
Lee also invited the public to display the national and Sarawak flags on Sept 16 to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the formation of Malaysia.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib together with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg and his wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang are expected to attend the event. — DayakDaily
