Senator calls for fairness, historical clarity in Sarawak Day Message
KUCHING (July 21): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Senator Abun Sui Anyit has expressed concern over what he described as persistent imbalances in Sarawak's development and governance in his Sarawak Day message.
Abun said development in the state remains uneven, particularly between the coastal regions and the interior.
'Likewise, government administration—especially at the management and political leadership levels—remains imbalanced, with certain ethnic groups appearing to dominate governance and administration in Sarawak. Is this situation orchestrated or simply coincidental?' he questioned in the message.
Despite these issues, the PKR Hulu Rajang division chief said it is not too late for Sarawakians to address the situation before it worsens.
'I pray that Sarawak continues to prosper within a fair and just Malaysia, and may the spirit of July 22 continue to ignite the patriotism of the sons and daughters of the Land of the Hornbill towards this region (Sarawak) and to our nation, Malaysia,' he said.
He urged the younger generation of Sarawakians to appreciate the state's history and the struggles of their forebears, and to uphold the spirit of independence with pride, warning against forgetting the past amid modern development.
According to him, July 22, 1963 marked a significant historical milestone when Sarawak attained self-rule from British colonial administration, which was a crucial step leading to the formation of Malaysia on September 16 the same year.
'Sarawak is a region rich in culture, natural resources, and a strong spirit of unity. Therefore, Sarawak Day not only celebrates independence but is also a time to reflect on our journey in pursuing justice, autonomy, and the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),' he added.
Abun also highlighted the significance of July 22, 1963, when Sarawak attained self-rule from British colonial administration, which he described as a crucial step toward the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
He nonetheless noted there has been confusion and questions as to why July 22 is often referred to as Sarawak Day rather than 'Sarawak Independence Day' as gazetted when it was declared as a public holiday in 2016.
He said the term 'Sarawak Day' is the official phrase used in government documents since its initial declaration in 2016, although from a historical and factual perspective, this day marks Sarawak's independence and freedom from colonialism.
'The choice of terminology may have been made out of political caution and federal sensitivities in the past. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that the people of Sarawak deserve to know and call our history by its proper name. July 22 should be remembered as Sarawak Independence Day—just as Sabah celebrates its Independence Day on August 31, 1963,' he said. Abun Sui Anyit history sarawak day Sarawak development
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