The people of the Malaysian state of Sarawak and Sabah, at last got their wish fulfilled. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, today declared that the date of 16th September every year is officially a public holiday and named Malaysia Day. Thus, Malaysians can celebrate two national days every year.
Formerly, 31st of august was celebrated as our only national day. However, as Malaysia is formed later than that date, the people of both eastern states felt a bit slighted. According to our history, 31st of august is the date whereby the Federation OfMalaya gained independence from the British.
Malaysia as an idea was mooted later when the states of Sabah and Sarawak were then still under British rule. So too goes Singapore. When The Cobbold Commission formed by the United Nations to survey the reactions to that idea, they found out that the people in Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were overwhelmingly in favor to the idea.
After lengthy discussions by leaders of all the parties, the Federation of Malaysia was agreed to and formally declared on the 16th of September 1963. Through this federation the states of Sabah and Sarawak achieved its independence.
Later, in 1965 Singapore was kicked out after several months of bickering.
The announcement was received with sighs of relief and praises for the Prime Minister was the order of the day.
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Ahmad Abang
