KUCHING: On the one hand, Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak was saying that Sabah and Sarawak are not the 12th and 13th states in Malaysia but rather equal partners of Malaya from 16 September 1963. However, when confronted with the puzzle of celebrating August 31, they suddenly and obediently fall in line, over one another, to obey the explanation of Umno from Putrajaya.

It’s not wrong to say that 31 August 1957 is Malaya’s Independence Day, said Abdul Aziz Isa, Special Assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen. “It’s a fact of Malaya’s history.”

However, he pointed out, August 31 is not Merdeka Day for Malaysia. “Please stop misleading Sarawakians.”

He sees no reason why Chong should be blamed when he tells the truth. “All Malaysians should be told the right version of history to have the right thinking.”

“It’s just as simple as that.”

Abdul Aziz was commenting on PBB Supreme Council member Abdul Karim Hamzah conceding that many were confused with the various dates. This refers to the independence of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the formation of Malaysia.

He has questions for the PBB Supreme Council member.

Has Karim told others when was the independence of Malaya?

Can he tell Sarawakians the true history of the formation of Malaysia?

As part of the Federal BN, led by Umno, what has Sarawak BN being doing all this while – as the government of the day — to correct and fix the broken history of the formation of Malaysia?

Sarawak BN keeps on chanting “Sarawak For Sarawakians” but the fact is that they have failed to understand the history of Malaysia and lack political will to fight for Sarawak’s rights, charged Abdul Aziz.

So, asked Abdul Aziz, what about Sabah and Sarawak and August 31?

They were still waiting on August 31 for the conclusion of the process of decolonization by the British Parliament.

“August 31 could not be the National Day,” he argued. “September 16 was clearly the true National Day.”

He urged all three equal partners to celebrate Malaysia Day, the National Day, with one heart and one soul with the Malaysian spirit.

He cited salient points from history.

Sarawak was a British Protectorate from 22 July 1963 to 16 September 1963 when its sovereignty was handed to the Federation of Malaysia.

The Federation of Malaya obtained its self-government status in 1955 from the British Colonial Government and only become an Independent nation on 31 August 1957.

Singapore obtained its self-government status in 1958, helped form the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 and became an independent nation on 9 August 1965.

The British Government granted Singapore independence through the Singapore Act 1966.

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