Sunday, July 22, 2012

22 JULY - A SPECIAL DAY FOR THE NATION OF SARAWAK

Hi all
Today is a significant day in the history for the nation of Sarawak.  On 22 July 1963, Sarawak achieved its independence from Britain.  At that time this meant Sarawak was free from the colonisation of the West.  Few months later, Sarawak formed Malaysia on 16 September 1963 as equal partners together with Singapore and North Borneo (Sabah).  The safeguard for Sarawak to form Malaysia was enshrined under the 18 Points Agreement.  However most of the points were not honoured by the current government today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20-point_agreement
Why call Sarawak, a nation ?  Originally Sarawak formed Malaysia as equal partners of the Federation with autonomous power.  Sarawak was supposed to be a nation within Malaysia with autonomous power.  The govenor at that juncture was called Yang Dipertua Negara.  This term was used until the Federal Constitution was amended in 1976 to change it to Yang Dipertua Negeri.
This date 22 July is often forgotten by the present generation.  The actual independence date for Sarawak should be 22 July rather than 31 August. 
Let us hope that the present generation especially the Sarawakian will not forget the significance of 22 July in the history of Sarawak.  It is also our wish that the 18 Points Agreement will be honoured and respected by the current government.

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