Sarawak Day needs to be taught in school syllabus to preserve history, educate future generations

Dr Penguang during an interview on Juh Randau session by Ukas at the Ukas Studio, on July 15. Photo credit: Ukas

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 16: The historical chronology of Sarawak Day, marking Sarawak’s brief period of self-governance and independence, should be included in the national school syllabus.

In a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), Deputy Minister for Public Health and Housing Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil emphasised the importance of including this for future generations to understand the significance of July 22, celebrated in Sarawak since 2016.

From July 22, 1963, to Sept 16 of the same year, Sarawak experienced a significant event, gaining self-governance and independence before the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, with Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan appointed the first Chief Minister of Sarawak by then-Sarawak Governor Sir Alexander Waddell.

“This is something we need to instill in our memory and pass on to future generations so they understand the importance of this date, particularly what happened before and after Sarawak Day,” he said during an interview on Juh Randau session by Ukas at the Ukas Studio, on Monday (July 15).

Dr Penguang, who is also the Deputy Minister in charge of the other religions’ thanksgiving ceremonies in conjunction with the upcoming Sarawak Day 2024 celebration, pointed out that knowledge of history of Sarawak and Malaysia is a precondition of being an educated citizen, especially to distinguish between three important dates in Malaysia: National Day on Aug 31, 1957; Sarawak Day on July 22, 1963; and Malaysia Day on Sept 16, 1963.

National Day marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya, while Malaysia Day is the day of the formation of Malaysia, comprising the Federation of Malaya, the regions of Sarawak and Sabah, and Singapore (which separated from Malaysia on Aug 9, 1965).

The Marudi assemblyman highlighted that Malaysia Day should also be remembered as the day Sarawak did not merge but formed Malaysia, sealed through the signing of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“That is why we have our own autonomy to protect, which causes many parties to be envious of Sarawak’s autonomy. Sarawak has many interests in the MA63, where we are granted certain autonomies and some matters that cannot be compromised, regardless of the past, present, or future,” he remarked.

Dr Penguang stressed that the Sarawak government under the leadership of Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg strives continuously to regain the privileges that Sarawak had ‘lost’, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

“Sarawak is neither asking for more nor less, but to regain the rights of Sarawak as enshrined in MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report,” he added. — DayakDaily