Happy Malaysia Day !!!

Malaysia was formed on that day, 16th September 1963. This is a speech given by Hon Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan MP MLA JPPresident of Sabah United Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) extracted from, The Making of a Malaysian (1991). Some extracts, "The date 16th September 1963 is a very special date for all Malaysians. It was the day when the Federation of Malaysia was inaugurated. In celebrating the occasion today, we must keep in mind that when the idea of forming a larger federation comprising the then Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak was first proposed by Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1961, it did not materialize overnight.

The proposal was discussed and debated at great length by prominent leaders from all communities. The ordinary people of Sabah and Sarawak were also given a chance to freely express their views and to decide whether to be part of the new federation or not. "

Towards the end of his speech, "Finally, before I conclude, let me again stress the importance of this day - 16th September. Given the importance of this day in our history, I would make a request to the federal government. The request is that starting from next year, 16th September should be declared a national public holiday to mark Malaysia Day.

Our further request is that as from next year, the period from 31st August to 16th September shall be specifically set aside for national unity activities and programmes. National unity celebration should commence on 31st August and close on 16th September.

I feel that these requests are reasonable and acceptable to the federal government. We believe that Malaysia Day serves as a powerful symbol of togetherness. It seems such a pity that Malaysia Day comes and goes every year unheralded and unsung in a nation that marks and commemorates so many other days which are far less significant than that historic day when Malaysia was proclaimed." The complete speech and source... (Well, dream on.....edit)

Here is the 20 Point Agreement for Sabah to join Malaysia :

1.Religion. While there was no objection to Islam being the national religion of Malaysia there should be no........... Continue to the 19 points....The original source.

I did live through those early years before and after independence. As I remember it, as an Anak Sarawak, Independence Day fell on September 16, in 1963. Such a day is well remembered by Sarawakians and Sabahans of my generation, but why should Umno and their millions of minions care? In the self-consciousness of Umno, as guardians and executors of Malay destiny in their Malay homeland, only they can make history. Their ideology of Malay dominance is first manifest in their dominance of the powers to write and interpret Malaysian history. Their natural psychological impulse is what the historian Eric Hobsbawm calls “official nationalism”. In full..."Merdeka reflections" by Sim Kwang Yang in Malaysiakini - subscription required.

To one and all, Abdul Rahman happily took credit for the formation of the Malaysian Federation. As he puts it. "I am the father of Malaysia." But the Tunku (it means Prince) was the indispensable catalyst without whom Malaysia could not have been achieved. He wooed, bullied and cajoled the four other countries into the federation agreement, was the only logical choice to serve as the new nation's first Prime Minister.

Happy, Not Mighty. Unlike most other new Asian leaders, Abdul Rahman is no rabid nationalist. He has remained on close, friendly terms with the British, has no interest in pie-in-the-sky economic schemes. His political aims are simple: "Food instead of bullets, clothing instead of uniforms, houses instead of barracks.'' His new nation has a combat army of only seven battalions and an air force so small that the pilots often have trouble finding a fourth for bridge. "My ambition is not mighty Malaysia," says Abdul Rahman, "but happy Malaysia." Time Pgs 1-7