
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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
UN and the stalled two-state solution for Palestine and Israel
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has played a central role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict since its 1947 partition plan, which sought to divide British-mandate Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. While Israel accepted the resolution, Arab states and Palestinians rejected it, leading to war and the displacement of 760,000 Palestinians—an event known as the Nakba, or 'catastrophe.' In 1967, after the Six-Day War, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 242, calling for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories. However, ambiguities in the resolution's wording left its implementation unclear. By 1974, the UN General Assembly recognized Palestinian self-determination and granted the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) observer status. The 1993 Oslo Accords, brokered outside the UN, marked a significant peace effort, establishing Palestinian autonomy and the Palestinian Authority. Yet, UN decisions on Palestine have often hinged on U.S. influence. Since 1972, the U.S. has vetoed over 30 resolutions to shield Israel, though it occasionally abstains, as seen in 2016 when the Security Council condemned Israeli settlements. In 2011, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas sought full UN membership, but U.S. opposition stalled the bid. Instead, the General Assembly granted Palestine 'non-member observer state' status in 2012. A renewed 2024 membership push was again blocked by a U.S. veto. Despite this, 142 UN members recognize Palestine, and recent Assembly rulings have expanded Palestinian participation rights. - AFP


Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
UN tackles beleaguered two-state solution for Israel, Palestinians
Palestine is now recognised by at least 142 UN member states out of 193, with France among them. (EPA Images pic) UNITED NATIONS : France and Saudi Arabia will lead the charge starting Monday to revive the moribund push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians at a UN conference in New York. Days before the July 28-30 conference, to be co-chaired by Riyadh and Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he would formally recognise the State of Palestine in September. Paris's decision 'will breathe new life into a conference that seemed destined to irrelevance,' said Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. 'Macron's announcement changes the game. Other participants will be scrabbling to decide if they should also declare an intent to recognise Palestine.' In an interview with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche, French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that other European countries will confirm 'their intention to recognise the State of Palestine' during the conference, without detailing which ones. France is hoping that Britain will take this step, and more than 200 British MPs on Friday pushed British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to do so, but he reiterated that recognition of a Palestinian state 'must be part of a wider plan'. According to an AFP database, at least 142 of the 193 UN member states – including France – now recognise the Palestinian state proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988. In 1947, a resolution of the UN General Assembly decided on the partition of Palestine, then under a British mandate, into two independent states – one Jewish and the other Arab. The following year, the state of Israel was proclaimed. For several decades, the vast majority of UN member states have supported the idea of a two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians living side by side peacefully and securely. But after more than 21 months of war in Gaza, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli officials declaring designs to annex occupied territory, it is feared a Palestinian state could be geographically impossible. The war in Gaza started following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, which responded with a large-scale military response that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. The conference is a response to the crisis, with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and several dozen ministers from around the world expected to attend. It is coming at a moment when 'the prospect of a Palestinian state has never been so threatened or so necessary,' Barrot said. Call for courage Beyond facilitating conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the meeting will have three other focuses – reform of the Palestinian Authority, disarmament of Hamas and its exclusion from Palestinian public life, and normalisation of relations with Israel by Arab states that have not yet done so. No new normalisation deals are expected to be announced at the meeting, according to a French diplomatic source. But 'for the first time, Arab countries will condemn Hamas and call for its disarmament,' Barrot said. The conference 'offers a unique opportunity to transform international law and the international consensus into an achievable plan and to demonstrate resolve to end the occupation and conflict once and for all, for the benefit of all peoples,' said Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, calling for 'courage' from participants. Israel and the US will not take part in the meeting, while international pressure continues to mount on Israel to end nearly two years of war in Gaza. Despite 'tactical pauses' in some military operations announced by Israel, the humanitarian catastrophe in the ravaged coastal territory is expected to dominate speeches by representatives of more than 100 countries as they take the podium from Monday to Wednesday. Gowan said he expected 'very fierce criticism of Israel'.


Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sikie: Use safety-conscious, uniform approach for longhouse construction
Sikie joins residents in a traditional ritual during the Mangkung Tiang ceremony at Rumah Rawing Manja, Ulu Mejau. – Ukas photo TATAU (July 28): The construction of longhouses, which are a symbol of unity and resilience among rural communities, must use a more uniform and safety-conscious approach, said Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. The Minister in the Premier's Department said this when officiating at the Mangkung Tiang (foundation pole) ceremony for Rumah Rawing Manja in Ulu Mejau on Saturday. 'Uniformity in the ruai enhances the aesthetic appeal of longhouses while symbolising unity and cooperation among residents,' he said. He stressed the critical need for fire prevention and electrical safety, urging longhouse folk to install brick partition walls extending to the roof and to ensure all electrical wiring complies with Sarawak Energy Berhad standards. The Kakus assemblyman urged village security and development committees (JKKKs) and their security bureaus to take a more proactive role in addressing social issues, particularly drug abuse, which remains a concern in some rural areas. Sikie also outlined key development projects under the Mid Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA), reinforcing the government's commitment to transforming rural infrastructure. These include RM60 million to upgrade the road from Nanga Kelebu to Rumah Ado, Kakus; RM10 million for road upgrades to Ulu Mejau; and RM10 million for the road to Entajum. 'These projects are not just about connectivity, they are investments in the future of rural Sarawakians,' he said. Reaffirming Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), he said the state is on track to achieve an RM15,000 household income target by 2030. Among the flagship initiatives is the Free Tertiary Education Scheme at state-owned institutions, aimed at equipping Sarawakians for better-paying jobs. As part of his visit, Sikie also presented an RM18,000 Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to the Rumah Rawing JKKK for local development efforts. The ceremony was attended by some 500 residents. John Sikie Tayai lead longhouse construction