KUCHING: It is imperative that the correct historical facts and background on Malaysia’s formation are taught in the education syllabus, says Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
The Sarawak Transport Minister said Malaysians must realise that Sarawak is not one of the 13 states in the country.
“Sarawak is one of the partners that formed Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963. Sarawak together with Sabah were also accorded certain rights, privileges and autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“It is important that our younger generation have a good knowledge and understanding on how our nation was formed. In this connection, the correct historical facts and background on the formation of Malaysia should be taught in schools.
“The history textbook on this subject should incorporate the MA63, the Cobbold Commission Report and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report 1962.”
He said this during his address at the state-level Malaysia Day celebration here on Thursday (Sept 16).
On the celebration, Lee said it was a reminder of the historic events that took place on Sept 16, 1963.
“It also highlights the contributions and struggles of our previous leaders in shaping a Malaysian nation. On that date, a new country named Malaysia was born. Today is the 58th anniversary.”
The Senadin assemblyman said Sarawak, prior to the formation of Malaysia had gained self-government on July 22 1963.
“On this day, 58 years ago saw the coming together of Malaya, North Borneo (which was renamed Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore to become a single new nation known as Malaysia. However, two years later, Singapore left the union in 1965.”
Lee added that the formation of Malaysia was done on the basis of the Malaysia Agreement, signed in 1963 by the United Kingdom, the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo, and Singapore.
“This agreement sets out the terms and conditions for the four component partners to be federated under a new constitution.”
