CY@CY Says Welcome to my dreamscape. Where a Lim is also a Ling.
Today is Malaysia Day. To all fellow Malaysians, Happy Malaysia Day!
The Malaysian flag...Jalur Gemilang (Malay for "Stripes of Glory")
On this day in 1963, the formation of Malaysia which consisted of the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo (which was renamed Sabah) and Singapore was formally promulgated.
The formation of the new federation was initially scheduled to take place on June 1, 1963, but was later postponed to August 31, 1963, in order to coincide with the sixth Hari Merdeka (The Federation of Malaya gained independence from British colonisation on August 31, 1957).
Several issues related to the Indonesian and the Filipino objection to the formation of Malaysia delayed the declaration to September 16 of the same year. The postponement was also done to allow the United Nations team time to conduct referendums in North Borneo and Sarawak regarding the two states participation in a new federation.
The formation of Malaysia was made possible through the introduction of the Malaysia Bill to the Malayan Parliament on July 9, 1963, and consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on August 29, 1963.
Prior to the formation of Malaysia, Sarawak gained its independence on July 22 1963 while Singapore and North Borneo unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom on August 31, 1963, thus coinciding with the sixth anniversary of the Malayan independence.
Beginning last year, September 16 has been declared a federal public holiday. It took the government 47 years to officially recognize September 16 as the day of the country’s creation. This is the real “birthday” of Malaysia, but it has been a long time coming.
Each year, Malaysia Day is celebrated with events that would foster closer unity, understanding between the different races and community success and achievement through sports, social culture and arts, to spur the 1Malaysia spirit.
However, a lot of Malaysians especially those in Sarawak and Sabah are full of bitterness when they look back at the historical event. Though we celebrate Malaysia’s 48th birthday today, many feel that the last 48 years have been wasted.
Though almost half a century has gone by, there is still an invisible wall between the people from the Peninsular and Sabah and Sarawak. We seem to be so close, yet so far.
In terms of infrastructure and economic development, Sarawak and Sabah lag far behind the Peninsular even though these two states are blessed with bountiful natural resources. Malaysians in Sarawak and Sabah feel that the federal government has not done enough for the two states. In contrast, Singapore, which withdrew from the federation of Malaysia, has made great achievements in economy, far ahead of Malaysia though it has scarce natural resources.
The concept of “1Malaysia” and two National Days are nearly half a century late. We cannot turn back the clocks to rewrite history but it is up to us how to write the future history.
It is better late than never. The government must make comprehensive adjustments in policies, revamping them so that they are transparent, rational and fair. Mere slogans are useless unless they are truly translated into actions. Only then can the aspiration of 1Malaysia be realized!
Don't let 1Malaysia be just a mere slogan
By the way, do you know that September 16 is also the birthday of Singapore ex-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew?
Happy birthday, Malaysia. And happy birthday to you too, Lee Kuan Yew!