[Letter to the Editor] The originals in our hands: Our ‘birth certificates’ in British Parliament

Original copies of the Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957 (left) and the Malaysia Act 1963 (right). Photo: Dato M Medan Abdullah

Letter to the Editor

By Dato M Medan Abdullah

As we celebrate Sarawak Day, let’s not forget that historic moment in 1963 when we made the momentous decision to be part of the Federation of Malaysia. ‘Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu’ is the motto of the Federation. How appropriate and succinct indeed. The forefathers were already talking about the importance of ‘quality’ in those early days—something we need to keep reminding ourselves about.

In the photo, I am holding the original copy of the Malaysia Act 1963. My friend, Rosli Boni, is holding the Federation of Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957. These are the original copies of these historical documents.

We were delighted to have been given the rare opportunity to view and hold in our hands the original documents that were passed by the British Parliament that gave birth to the Nation. I don’t think many Malaysians have had the opportunity; maybe, I dare say, not even many Prime Ministers, past and present.

Apparently, the documents that we have here are mere ‘copies’ or replicates of the originals. These are the real and original ones in our hands. That was the sweetest part of this unexpected experience.

The bitter part, if we could put it that way, was knowing that these historical documents (what I would call the Nation’s birth certificates) were kept in simple glass cabinets in some small backroom office at the Parliament House. They were just one of the myriads of historical documents that were kept in the Parliament. And most probably, not treated as importantly—at least not as important as we would have treated them.

Having lost part of their empire, as evidenced, inter alia, by these documents, naturally, the British would rather not talk too much about those past episodes and the documents associated with those events. So, they just keep them in some cupboards somewhere in the back office—out of sight, out of mind.

Nonetheless, it was a kindly British gentleman who had made all the arrangements to enable us to experience this important moment. Indeed, he had promised to give us Malaysians a ‘wow’ moment or unforgettable experience.

He did deliver, I must say, on that mid-morning in 2007.

This is the personal opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of DayakDaily. Letters to the Editor may be lightly edited for clarity.

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