Apt to mark 60th year of independence

KUCHING: Sarawak is the most politically stable region in Malaysia and also the most steady in economic development in the nation, said political observer Datuk Peter Minos.

Sixty years in, he said had resulted in some good things in Sarawak where the people are united and leaders are politically fair and reasonable as well as a government that put its best for the people in the economic and social fields.

“Sarawak also shows steady economic progress that slogs and struggles on quite smoothly despite everything and people truly respecting religious and racial understanding and tolerance.

“Wise and reasonable people led by good and progressive leadership have now made Sarawak the envy of other parts of Malaysia, At least, that I sensed and heard. Sarawak is one that generates respect and salutations, we are proud of this,” he said in a statement today.

Therefore, he said it is very appropriate that Sarawak will hold a grand celebration to remember and honour the historical year of 1963.

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He said by Sept 16 this year, it marks the 60th year of Sarawak in Malaysia together with Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and many events had happened in the last 60 years.

“This includes the Indonesia Confrontation and aggression in 1963 to 1965, May 13,1969 incident of racial riots and killings in Kuala Lumpur, the New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1971, the 22 years of high flying Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s rule of the 1980s to 1990s, the recent years of bad and horrible COVID-19 pandemic and much severe political squabblings and division and so on.

“Malaysia has survived it all, soldiering on. It has not been easy since 1963 for sure but Malaysia somehow remained intact. We are happy for that. We thank our good star,” said Minos.

He said Sarawakians will also remember and honour the date July 22, 1963, when the state got its independence from colonial Britain.

See also KAPIT: A primary school here, SK Kampung Baru yesterday held a special assembly at the school to bid farewell to a a female teacher Lau King Hoon who retired at the age of 56. Lau has opted for early retirement at that age to follow her family members who reside in Kuching. In her farewell remark Lau went down the memory lane about her 29 years in service and that her posting at SK Kampung Baru was full of sweet memories that she said would cherish for the rest of her life. “I started my teaching career after attending the Diploma of Education at Rajang Teachers’ Training College in 1989.Throughout my teaching career, I taught at four schools namely at SK Ulu Manding, Julau where I served from 1989 to 1990 then transferred to SJKC Yong Kwong, Bintangor from 1991 to 1992 and later posted to SJKC Hock Lam from 1993 to 2011. In 2012 I was posted to SK Kampung Baru until today. “Today is my last day at SK Kampong Baru. As I look back, the last 29 years of teaching career, I have lots of challenging memories. But only at SK Kampung Baru, I have the sweet and fond memories. This is because here I feel very comfortable and pleasant because of the very conducive environment. In addition my colleagues are all very friendly and passionate and the pupils are polite and well mannered. These sweet memories shall be my greatest treasure to cherish in my life. “I have not much to say because I feel sad to leave all of you. But I wish all of you good health and happy teaching,” said Lau Meanwhile the school headmistress Seniah Othman who spoke earlier on thanked Lau for her services at the school. She wished her happy retirement and advised her to look after her health. In the evening the school feted Lau to a farewell dinner that was attended by the Senior Assistants Sng Sioh Yiang, Johan Annuar, Julius Ata and Catherine Bayak, the chairman of Parents-Teachers Association Mohd Matan Yok, teachers and parents.

“It was the day when we Sarawakians said goodbye to colonialism and foreign rule of over 100 years. It was also the day when we got our liberation from colonial masters and regaining our freedom. It was truly a great and momentous day,” he added.

On whether Malaysia can be a united and progressive nation, Minos expressed confidence that the nation is able to achieve it provided that the top leaders show the meaning of real national unity, successful and effective management of the government and the economy.