KUCHING: Malaysia Day, which falls on Sept 16, marks the day when Malaysia was formed.
On Sept 16, 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore combined with Malaya to form Malaysia. However, Singapore left two years later on Aug 9, 1965.
This year, Malaysia Day is being celebrated in a very colourful way in Sarawak. And what does Malaysia Day mean to Malaysians?
New Sarawak Tribune did a random street survey and these are what people had to say:
“Malaysia Day is the same to me. Nowadays, I think the government should pay more attention to the people and consider their needs more than their own because they are the leaders chosen by the people,” said Angela, 40, a small-medium enterprise owner.
“Good. I like Merdeka. I like Malaysia Day,” quipped another business owner, who has been running her family business for 20 years now, Teo Sok San, 72.
“Even though business is not so good now because the prices of goods have increased and the standard of living is also quite high, but I have not much to complain about. Somehow, we still managed to survive,” she said.
“As a Malaysian, we all hope that the government will continue to govern the state and country with integrity.”
Another business owner, Matthew, 56, said as a Malaysian, Malaysia Day meant more freedom.
“Freedom is very important to the people. It means that we are no longer under colonial rule.
“We want a clean government to continue to govern us. No doubt, last time our life is more comfortable, not like now even though we earned a small wage.
“Now, even with a minimum wage of RM1,500, the prices of goods have also increased and the standard of living is also high.”
Nonetheless, Matthew said he was proud to be a Sarawakian.
“It is my homeland. And it’s a nice place, safe and there are many pleasant and friendly people. We can live here in unity unlike in most parts of Semenanjung Malaysia whereby you cannot even sit down and eat together in a coffee shop.
“Here in Sarawak, even though I eat pork, I can just eat it in a coffee shop because the people are more open here. No wayang kulit (no drama),” he added.
Matthew, who has been doing business for the past three to four years since retiring from the private sector, said business was quite bad now and hoped that things would be better soon.
“The most important thing is to have a stable government who walks the talk. Don’t promise here and there and in the end, nothing is done.”
Freelance photographer, Jacqueline John, 31, sees Malaysia Day as a way to be united as a people.
“It also means to achieve greater things and it should not be looked upon lightly as we can achieve all these greater things through our economy and social and cultural riches to make Malaysia more well known.
“Through all these and our unification as a people, I hope and I believe that we can also achieve greater things.”
Meanwhile, Manjeet Sidhu said Malaysia Day meant “getting together to celebrate love for our country.”
“Malaysia is a multiracial country where we aspire to live in harmony, regardless of ethnicity, religion or culture. Our pride in our rich historical past and being united as one nation makes us special in a world fraught with discord.
“It defines our love for the nation where we not only protect our nation’s honour but also practice tolerance and enjoy our beautiful and unique cultural diversity,” said the Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak president.
“As a Malaysian, we should unite irrespective of our ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Further, as a Sarawakian, I realise that our fundamental strength is that we can move forward together as one united force under the leadership of our dynamic Premier and his team.
“I have travelled to different parts of the world, but I look forward to coming back to Malaysia which I call my home. I can attest that Malaysia is the best country to live in. The love and respect I have for my country is most heartfelt and beyond what words could express.
“This powerful sentiment has motivated me to help Malaysians from all walks of life who are in need of social and welfare assistance,” Manjeet added.
“Malaysia Day is more than just a celebration and raising our flag. To many, Merdeka Day is just another public holiday. For me, Merdeka is a fitting time to ignite patriotism, loyalty and pride for the country, especially among the younger generation.
“It is the time to show our patriotism and pride for our multiracial and multicultural country, where we get to live in peace and harmony. We need to be thankful to all who have worked hard to achieve unity for the nation today,” said Arzmy Hargreaves, CEO RegalCel Group / Image Branding Strategist.
“In Sarawak especially, we have no problem eating in jam-packed kopitiam sharing tables with other races and stalls together. Nothing screams unity louder than that.
“For me, Merdeka or freedom means that we are all equals. So no matter where we come from, what our race is or where we are in life, we need to be treated as ‘free’ and to be respected for who we are.
“I am thankful for what we have today. We are getting there as a nation, one baby step at a time. Until then, we have hope to cling on to for a better and progressive Malaysia,” he added.
