BY PETRONELLA LANGITA FELIX & AISYAH AZZAHRA SUHIRI
KUCHING: Malaysia will be celebrating its 64th Independence Day on Aug 31 with the theme ‘Malaysia Prihatin’ (Malaysia Cares).
On Aug 17, Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced that the state-level celebration for Sarawak would be held at the State Legislative Assembly building here.
The celebration is scheduled to begin at 8.30pm on Aug 31 with limited attendance of 100 people.
Meanwhile, the national-level celebration will be held at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, Putrajaya on the same date.
Both celebrations are to be held in hybrid format to encourage the rakyat’s involvement while complying with the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
In conjunction with the 64th Independence Day this year, New Sarawak Tribune interviewed several Sarawakians and asked them to share their thoughts and wishes for the state.
SANUSI SEBAWI (Police pensioner)
Happy Independence Day, Malaysia! Back in the 70s, we celebrated Hari Merdeka with pride and joy despite the threats from communists. Our celebration is limited to a small scale this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I look forward to a big scale celebration once our country recovers from the virus.
DR HASLINA HASHIM (Unimas academician)
Happy Merdeka to all! I hope Sarawak remains united as we strengthen our efforts to care for the environment. The earth is our only home. It is high time that we work together to create a sustainable state for generations to come.
FELSIE ANNECIA (UiTM accounting student)
I wish for Malaysians, especially Sarawakians, will keep on coexisting in peace and harmony as we embrace the cultural differences between us. After all, diversity is what makes Malaysia a unique melting pot of culture.
NANCY ABAS (Retiree)
Happy 64th Independence Day! I hope Sarawak will soon be free from the deadly Covid-19 virus so we can reunite with our families and friends of different cultural backgrounds again.
CHOUNG LEE CHING (Housewife)
Happy Independence Day, Malaysiaku! Let us never take this hard-earned independence as our final achievement as we still need to fight for our economic, education and technology growth. We need to win the battle against our ego and selfishness for Malaysia to prosper.
ALDAWIN TANDANG (Secondary school teacher)
I am grateful for the freedom we have today, and I wish to see continuous developments, especially in Sarawak. We struggled against colonial control before. Now, let us fight against this pandemic. Remember: ‘Jaga Sarawak, Intu Sarawak’.
AIDI IRYANI (Assistant admin officer)
As a Sarawakian, I hope to witness the state’s continuous and accelerated growth in all sectors and for us to be Covid-19 free so that we may return to normalcy soon. I hope this harmonious country will continue to flourish. Happy 64th Independence Day, Malaysia!
