KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government must do a correction on the history of the formation of Malaysia to stop Malaysians, especially the younger generations, from continuously getting confused and diverted from the facts.
Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Majimbun said it is sad to see a young boy in Sabah appearing on television wishing 51st Merdeka Day to Malaysia, when actually it is the 51st year of independence for Malaya.
He said Sabah (formerly North Borneo) achieved its independence only 45 years ago and together with Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya (a Federation of 11 states in the peninsula) then formed Malaysia.
"Another historical fact also needs to be corrected is that Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore did not join Malaya to form Malaysia, but formed Malaysia together ...we are not one of the states under Malaysia, but we are one third of Malaysia." he said.
He said Sabah. Sarawak and Malaya are supposedly partners which formed Malaysia and "we did not join Malaya to form Malaysia ...so Sabah is not supposed to be another state under Malaya or one of the 11 states under Malaya."
Eric who is SAPP Deputy President was responding to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's comments on the proposal to have Sept. 16 a public holiday where it was also stated Sept 16, 1963, the day that Malaysia came about.
"Something needs to be done immediately to correct the history of the formation of Malaysia ...it seems like our country today gives more emphasis to Malaya's independence than the formation of Malaysia," said Eric.
He said Sabah and Sarawak celebrated Malaysia Day on every Sept 16, which had been made a public holiday in Sabah but was called the Head of State's birthday and not the Malaysia Day.
"To the older generations who know the facts it is okay. What I am worried about is our younger generation and the generations to come, who will continue to be confused as they do not know what had actually happened and only rely on what is written in their school's history book," he said.
On the call by Lim to the Federal Government to declare Sept 16 a public holiday, Eric who supported it said this should be done because without Sept. 16 there will be no Malaysia.
Lim reportedly welcomed a proposal made by Parti Keadilan Rakyat for the five Pakatan Rakyat (PR) led states of Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan to declare a public holiday for Malaysia Day on Sept 16.
SAPP
03/09/08
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