MUKAH: Locals hope that this year’s Hari Malaysia on Sept 16 would result in something more meaningful and concrete, and would become a reality sooner rather than later.
Former teacher Kang Siew Hai, 84, is one of the many Sarawakians who has high hopes of seeing the real benefits of Hari Malaysia, especially to Sarawak.
He said being one of the founding partners in the formation of Malaysia 58 years ago, Sarawak should be treated like a region or nation — not one of the 13 states in Malaysia.
According to him, being treated as one of the states, Sarawak and its people lost out including being deprived of the important benefits.
“Our politicians and leaders must continually try to voice out about the matter so that Sarawakians can enjoy the benefits,” he said.
For Laberi Pade, 74, he hoped to see Hari Malaysia would bring good news to Mukah in terms of additional routes introduced, including to Kuala Lumpur.
He said if a direct flight from Mukah to Kuala Lumpur could not be arranged, a transit flight via Sibu is good enough.
On Hari Malaysia itself, the pensioner said that he did not know much about the events associated with the historic date.
“However, I always wonder why Sarawak, as one of the founding partners is being treated like one of the 13 states in Malaysia,” he added.
He also hoped that Malaysia Day this year would result in Mukah Hospital being improved and upgraded soon.
He added Mukah Hospital needs urgent upgrading if there is no plan to build a new hospital in the near future, and this is what Hari Malaysia is also all about.
Meanwhile, Penghulu Murad Ibrahim, 71, hoped that Hari Malaysia will always be a day to strengthen political stability and racial unity in Malaysia.
He said Malaysians should be thankful for the peaceful situation, political stability and racial unity prevailing in the country.
On Hari Malaysia, he said the formation of Malaysia was part of the development process including for Sarawak.
The pensioner added there is still a lot to be done so that Sarawak could enjoy more benefits being part of Malaysia.
