‘Just fighting for our rights, nothing more’

KUCHING: The ‘722 Sarawak Freedom and Independence Day Walk’ that attracted over 5,000 people yesterday was all about Sarawakians wanting the state to be treated as equal partners.

It is not a call for the state to secede from Malaysia, assured its organising chairman, Peter John Jaban.

He added that the main aim of the rally was to show to all Malaysians that the multi-racial communities in the state could live in harmony and unity in their struggles to uphold the state’s rights. It was also being used as a platform to call for July 22 to be gazetted as a public holiday, to recognise Sarawak’s independence in the history curriculum, to reinstate English as the medium of instruction in schools, a call for greater infrastructure development in the rural areas, and for the federal government to grant the state fair equity in oil and gas revenue derived from the state resources.

“We are here to celebrate the historic day when Sarawak gained independence. I want the public to know the history and the right date of our historical past. We must unite and show solidarity.

“Sarawak obtained its independence from British colonial rule on July 22, 1963, prior to the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16 that year. This rally is not about calling for Sarawak to secede from Malaysia, but for the people to understand our history and to know our rights,” he told reporters when met after the rally at Song Kheng Hai Rugby Field at Padungan here yesterday.

The event to commemorate Sarawak’s independence from British Colonial rule was organised by Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) and the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement.

Happy with the big turnout, Peter hoped the government would listen to the messages conveyed by the people at the rally.

He said he would write to the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on the demands of the people and the calls to review the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and Petroleum Development Act 1974.

The event proceeded peacefully even though Inspector-general of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar’s had advised it should not be held due to concerns it would be used to stir secessionist sentiments.

Peter thanked the police for allowing the rally to go ahead. He noted that police’s presence at the event was light.

He assured that the event would always remain apolitical because the movement did not want to be associated nor involved with any political bickering happening in the state and country.

Thousands of participants gathered as early as 7am at the Jubilee Ground car park before marching some two kilometres to the venue. A few gathered and walked from Padang Merdeka.

During the two-hour rally, a section of the crowd gathered together to form the figures ‘S4S’ and ‘722’.

A flag-raising ceremony was also held and the old state national anthem ‘Fairland Sarawak’ and ‘Ibu Pertiwiku” were played.

Various banners and placards in support of Sarawak’s rights and equality were displayed as the crowd chanted slogans such as ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’, ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ and `Dum Spiro Spero’ during the rally.

Some of the participants were from other parts of the state, some from as far as Lawas and Belaga. Most were clad in black T-shirts with Sarawak for Sarawakians emblazoned on them and waving post independent Sarawak Kingdom flags. The crowd dispersed at around 10am, peacefully walking towards their earlier meeting points with police escort to direct traffic.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/23/just-fighting-for-our-rights-nothing-more/#ixzz3ghCOlKaR

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Sarawak leader says July 22 more important for state than August 31

A senior minister in Sarawak has joined the call to accord greater recognition to July 22, 1963, the day the state got its independence from its former colonial masters, the Borneo Post reported.

State minister of Land Development Tan Sri James Masing said the state should officially recognise July 22, instead of August 31, which was the date the Federation of Malaya received its in independence in 1957.

He added that Sarawakians should know the significance of the July 22 independence day for their homeland two months before the formation of Malaysia on September 16 of the same year.

“July 22 should have been honoured long ago but somehow the date was overshadowed by August 31, which has nothing to do with us.

“The date of Sarawak’s independence must be put in the correct perspective for the younger generations to understand. For historical purposes, let the young people know. We have to get the facts right,” Masing was quoted as saying by Borneo Post.

He also supports the Sarawak United People’s Party’s (SUPP) call on chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem to declare July 22 as Hari Sarawak.

“July 22 should have been honoured long ago but somehow the date was overshadowed by August 31, which has nothing to do with us.

“The date of Sarawak’s independence must be put in the correct perspective for the younger generations to understand. For historical purposes, let the young people know. We have to get the facts right,” Masing said, according to the Borneo Post.

He added that his hope is for all Sarawakians to be proud of the fact that Sarawak was already an independent nation prior to the formation of Malaysia as an equal partner with Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and the Federation of Malaya.

On the issue of declaring July 22 a public holiday in the state, Masing believes it is not as important as the whole state recognising the date as Sarawak’s day of independence.

“Let us settle this at another time. Maybe later on, as this is not an urgent matter at the moment. After all, when the state officially recognised Malaysia Day on September 16, there had never been a public holiday.

"More importantly, I am very pleased that the state government has been honouring July 22  for the last two years,” he was quoted as saying by the Borneo Post. – July 23, 2015.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sarawak-leader-says-july-22-more-important-for-state-than-august-31#sthash.uUJOH3gr.dpuf

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Anifah, Jeffrey deserve total support for raising Sabah rights and issues - ex CM

KOTA KINABALU: Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman and STAR Sabah chief, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan have been hailed for fighting for Sabah’s rights, especially the “40 per cent entitlement” for the state.

Former Chief Minister, Datuk Yong Teck Lee said it is only now after 52 years of federal budgets that the "entitlement" has been successfully brought to the mainstream of Malaysian policy making. 

“The brilliance of Dr. Jeffrey in discovering this anomaly, and the courage of Anifah Aman to take this up all the way to the Prime Minister, deserve our recognition, said Yong in a statement Wednesday.

“Anifah is taking great risks offending UMNO, and the Prime Minister. He might even lose his job over this claim and other Sabah rights, and as such, both leaders deserve Sabahans' support in the fight for our rights.”

Responding to remarks by yet another ex chief minister, Tan Sri Harris Mohd Salleh’s remark that there’s no need for a committee to look into the payment of the entitlement, Yong countered: 

“I ask, Tan Sri Harris, are you not a Sabahan too?”

“Where Harris, myself and other previous Chief Ministers did not succeed, we should now help the new generation of Sabahans to do so. I believe that none of the ex-Sabah Chief Ministers and ex-Finance Ministers had known about this "40 per cent" proviso in the federal constitution. 

“To know and not do anything would have been wrong. The question now is what will the current Sabah government and our Sabahan federal ministers do about it?

Yong, the Sabah Progressive Party president said he agreed with Harris that other aspects of Sabah rights should also be looked at. 

“For a start, Harris could use his influence to seek the return of Labuan and federal agencies to Sabah, to get FELDA to hand over its 200,000 acres of land to settlers, tighten immigration into Sabah, increase oil royalties for Sabah and secure Sabah rights over the newly discovered oil and gas at ESSZONE,” Yong asserted.

He also quipped that Harris should not be cursed for failing to claim the "entitlement", citing that there have been six Prime Ministers, nine federal finance ministers, 13 Sabah Chief Ministers and nine Sabah Finance ministers who also “missed” the fact. 

“And there have been countless officers at the Attorney General Chambers and finance ministries at both state and federal levels responsible for drawing up the budgets,” he added.

Yong said he could give his best input and risk being criticised and it mattered not that his term as Chief Minister 17 years ago was for two out of 52 years, but now that an anomaly has been discovered, everything possible should be done to right it.

He reiterated that with the federal government now dependent on Sabah and Sarawak, a window of opportunity exists for the Borneo states to redress the injustices of the past.

Source: http://kinabalutoday.com/index.php/home-2/local-news/10051-anifah-jeffrey-deserve-total-support-for-raising-sabah-rights-and-issues-ex-cm

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Despite police ban, 10,000 throng Sarawak independence walk

KUCHING, July 22 — An estimated 10,000 people turned up today at the Song Kheng Hai field here for the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) “Freedom and Independence Walk”, ignoring a previous warning by the police not to participate in the event.

According to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday, the police had received information that some parties were planning to use the event to incite Sarawakians into calling for the state’s secession from Malaysia.

But despite the warning, organisers decided to proceed with the gathering today as many of its participants from outside Sarawak were already in town for the event.

The gathering went on peacefully with no reports of any untoward incidents.

Chief organiser Peter John Jaban said an estimated 10,000 people turned up for the event meant to mark Sarawak’s independence from the British.

The walk by the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) and the S4S movement was organised to demand, among others, that July 22 to be made a public holiday to mark Sarawak’s independence.

“On this day in 1963, Sarawak gained its independence from the British and for 55 days, we were a sovereign nation before we formed the Federation of Malaysia with Malaya, Sabah (then known as North Borneo) and Singapore on Sept 16, 1963,” Jaban said.

A large crowd turned up at the Freedom and Independence Walk at Song Kheng Hai Ground in Kuching.  

He said the organisers will hold an even bigger gathering next year if July 22 is not made a public holiday.

He said those that formed the federation of Malaysia were meant to be equal partners, but over the years, Sarawak and Sabah were downgraded to state status.

Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965.

He said history textbooks should be rewritten, pointing out that the fact that Sarawak had gained its independence on July 22 is not mentioned.

Jaban then called for a review of the Malaysian Agreement 1963 and the National Petroleum Development Act 1994, and urged for autonomy for the state on matters like education.

He also urged for tighter immigration control.

During the gathering, an old Sarawak flag was hoisted by four cyclists as the state anthem “Ibu Pertiwiku” was played.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/despite-police-ban-10-000-throng-sarawak-independence-062700609.html?linkId=15746531

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Thousands came out to celebrate Sarawak independence day

KUCHING: Over 5,000 people attended the ‘722 Sarawak Freedom and Independence Day Walk’ at Song Kheng Hai rugby field here today, calling for better treatment and equal rights to be accorded to the state by the federal government.

Among others, the rally also called for July 22 to be gazetted as a public holiday, recognition of Sarawak independence in the school history curriculum, reinstatement of English as the medium of instruction in schools, greater infrastructure development in rural areas and for the government to grant the state fair equity in oil and gas.

The event, to commemorate Sarawak independence day from British Colonial rule on July 22, 1963 was organised by Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) and Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) movement. The highly-charged rally, albeit peaceful, was held in order and went without a hitch.

“I want the public to understand history and the right dates of our historical past. Sarawak obtained its independence on July 22, 1963 prior to the formation of Malaysia. This rally is not about calling to Sarawak to secede from Malaysia, but for the people to understand our history and to know our rights,” the rally’s organising chairman Peter John Jaban told reporters during the event.

Thousands of participants gathered as early as 7am at the nearby Jubilee Ground to march towards the venue in Padungan while some gathered and walked from Padang Merdeka. The two-hour rally also saw the people lining up in an ‘S4S’ formation for a photocall and participating in a flag-raising ceremony.

Various banners and placards in support of Sarawak’s rights and equality were displayed as the crowd chanted slogans such as ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’, ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ and ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ during the rally. Participants came from all over the state with some as far as Lawas and even Belaga.

Most were clad in black T-shirts with ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’ emblazoned on them and waving post-Sarawak Kingdom independence flags. The people also sang the old state national anthem ‘Fairland Sarawak’ as well as ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’ in a show of solidarity and allegiance to Sarawak.

Despite warning from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar that the rally could be used to incite secession of Sarawak from Malaysia, the presence of uniformed police was light. Khalid had advised organisers to call off the gathering citing security reasons.

The crowd dispersed at around 10am, peacefully marching towards their meeting points at Jubilee Ground and Padang Merdeka amid police escort.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/thousands-came-out-to-celebrate-sarawak-independence-day/#ixzz3gc6yEutl

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Tiba masa Sarawak iktiraf tanggal 22 Julai: Masing

KUCHING: Sudah tiba masanya untuk Sarawak mengiktiraf kemerdekaan sendiri pada 22 Julai, kata Menteri Kemajuan Tanah Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing.

Tegas beliau, tarikh tersebut sepatutnya sudah lama diberi penghormatan tetapi telah dibayangi hari kemerdekaan Malaysia pada 31 Ogos yang tidak berkaitan dengan Sarawak.

“Kemerdekaan kita adalah pada 22 Julai 1963 apabila Sarawak mendapat kemerdekaan daripada kerajaan British. Saya harap setiap rakyat Sarawak memberi penghormatan kepada hari ini dan berbangga dengan hakikat bahawa kita sudah mencapai kemerdekaan sebelum penubuhan Malaysia bersama Sabah, Singapura dan Malaya,” katanya kepada pemberita di sini, semalam.

Dalam pada itu, Masing yang juga Presiden Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) menegaskan bahawa sejarah negeri ini harus diletak dalam perspektif yang tepat dan disampaikan kepada golongan muda dengan fakta yang betul.

“Sejujurnya, 22 Julai adalah hari kemerdekaan kita (Sarawak) manakala 31 Ogos adalah untuk Semenanjung Malaysia dan penubuhan Malaysia adalah pada 16 September.

“Kita perlu menghargai tarikh ini dan memastikan sejarah itu tidak akan dipa-damkan,” katanya.

Apabila ditanya mengenai seruan orang ramai untuk mengisytiharkan 22 Julai sebagai cuti umum, Masing berkata perkara itu boleh di-selesaikan pada waktu lain.

“Ketika negeri ini secara rasmi mengiktiraf 16 September, tiada cuti umum diadakan.

“Bagi 22 Julai, meng-umumkan cuti umum tidak sepenting pengiktirafan kita mengenai hari kemerdekaan pada tarikh tersebut.

“Mungkin kemudian tetapi perkara ini tidak begitu pen-ting buat masa sekarang,” katanya sambil menambah perkara paling penting ialah rakyat Sarawak mesti faham bahawa 22 Julai adalah hari kemerdekaan negeri.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/tiba-masa-sarawak-iktiraf-tanggal-22-julai-masing/#ixzz3gbhPVGEE

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Wong: Our right to have greater autonomy

KUCHING: As the government of Sarawak has emphatically demonstrated during its 50th Anniversary celebration two years ago, July 22 should be a day for Sarawak to celebrate its Independence Day and Sept 16 as a day to commemorate the formation of Malaysia.

This is the view of UPP president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who issued a statement pointing out that the so-called Malaysian National Day, which is usually referred to as Merdeka Day on Aug 31, is only a day to commemorate the formation of the Federation of Malaya; one of the three components of Malaysia.

“Malaysia was 50 years old in 2013 and not 57 years old as claimed by the people of Peninsular Malaysia and Putrajaya,” said Wong.

He said the status of Sarawak must be reconsidered in the original context of the Constitution when the Federation of Malaysia was established in 1963.

According to Article 2, the states of the Federation shall be the states of Malaysia namely Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu; the Borneo States namely Sarawak and Sabah; and the State of Singapore

“In the amendment of the Constitution in the 1970’s, Sarawak was downgraded into one of the ordinary 13 states in the Federation and we lost our special positions, special and autonomous rights and the acknowledgement of our pivotal role in the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

“It is time, after some 40 years since the amendment of the Constitution in 1970’s, we must seek to have our special status re-instated as one the three partners and not one of the 13 states in the Federation as Sarawak was an independent state prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963,” Wong stated.

“Our independent Day of July 22 should be an occasion for assessing what has gone wrong for the past 52 years with the Federation of Malaysia and how the Malaysian Federation can be improved.

“It is our inherent right that we want greater autonomy and decentralization of powers to the state level of Sarawak.

“We want greater autonomy, more autonomous administrative rights in all spheres of administration and greater decentralization of powers.

“Since Sarawak is a partner to the formation of Malaysia, we will not accept the fact we are relegated to merely one of the 13 states. We want to be treated as partners,” said the Local Government and Community Development Minister.

Citing the great disparity in terms of development between the peninsula and East Malaysia, Wong also requested for more development expenditures.

“We need greater development expenditures and greater infrastructure development. Almost 100 per cent of the rural population of Peninsular Malaysia has access to fundamental amenities such as water, electricity and road access while we in Sarawak have only about 80 per cent or less of such facilities.”

He pointed out that given the relatively underdeveloped state of Sarawak and the vast extent of territory of about 125,000 square kilometres, Sarawak should deserve a larger share of royalty.

“We therefore feel strongly that federalism as implemented for the past 52 years is not justified as far as Sarawak is concerned. We feel that the allocation of development expenditure in the state is inequitable because we are rich in oil and gas: under the Petroleum Development Act which was passed in October 1974, we can only get a five per cent royalty from oil and gas production.

“We strongly support the state government in asking the federal government to increase the oil and gas royalty to 20 per cent.”

He also reminded all Sarawakians that Sarawak became independent on July 22, 1963 before Malaysia came into being on Sept 16, 1963.

“We organised a special event to commemorate Sarawak’s 50th Anniversary Independence day on 22 July in Pangkalan Batu at the Kuching Waterfront in 2013 replete with heavy symbolism and colonial-era pageantry.

“The actual ceremony where Governor Sir Alexander Waddell sailed from the Astana directly across the Sarawak River from Pangkalan Batu to officially hand over his duties was faithfully re-enacted, signalling the end of colonial rule.

“The swearing-in ceremony of the pioneer batch of State Cabinet Minister was also re-enacted. The formation of a State Cabinet on July 22, 1963 enabled Sarawak to form a self-ruled independent government, paving the way to the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963 with Sarawak being one of the four independent partners in the Federation of Malaysia,” he explained.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/wong-our-right-to-have-greater-autonomy/

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July 22 – A momentous occasion for Sarawakians

MIRI: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) is happy that the celebrations across Sarawak to mark Sarawak’s 52nd independence from British Rule have been carried out peacefully and in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Its secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said SUPP was also thankful to the authorities for a change of heart to allow Sarawakians to celebrate such an important day in Kuching, Sibu and Miri on July 19. He said the celebration was held peacefully and with the greatest of pride.

“Sarawakians should be proud of this day and indeed we should highlight it even more. It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we in SUPP wish the people of Sarawak a Happy Independence Day,” Ting said in an SMS to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Ting went on to say that July 22, 1963 was a very significant milestone in our history.

“We gained independence from British colonial rule on this day. Just as August 31 is a proud day for Malaysians, July 22 is also of equal significance to Sarawakians. Correct historical facts are important to us in Sarawak.”

The state government for the first time in 2013 celebrated July 22 in a very momentous occasion. It conducted a re-enactment of the lowering of the Union Jack at Pangkalan Batu in Kuching and the departure of the last British Governor of Sarawak.

Ting added that SUPP, in conjunction with Sarawak Independence Day celebration last month, had launched the ‘SUPP for Sarawakians’ banners and car stickers as well as yellow T-shirts printed with ‘I am Sarawakian’ and ‘Remembering 22nd July 1963’.

“Our commitment and dedication to Sarawakians and Sarawak is unshakeable and total. This is enshrined in our party’s name – Sarawak United People’s Party,” he said.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/july-22-a-momentous-occasion-for-sarawakians/#ixzz3gZzB8GIC

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Masing joins call for July 22 to be recognised

KUCHING: July 22, 1963 – the day Sarawak gained independence from British colonial rule – must be honoured and fully understood by future generations.

Minister of Land Development Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing said it is high time the state officially recognises its own independence day as opposed to Aug 31, which marks the Federation of Malaya’s independence from the British government.

Masing said every Sarawakians must know the significance of July 22 and be proud that the state achieved freedom two months before the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16. He reminded the people to always appreciate July 22 and ensure the date’s significance would not be erased from history.

“July 22 should have been honoured long ago but somehow the date was overshadowed by Aug 31, which has nothing to do with us.

“The date of Sarawak’s independence must be put in the correct perspective for the younger generations to understand. For historical purposes, let the young people know. We have to get the facts right,” Masing told reporters after a press conference on the eighth Sarawak Amateur Masters Open Golf Championship 2015 yesterday.

He was commenting on the Sarawak United People’s Party’s (SUPP) call on Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to declare July 22 as Hari Sarawak, during the launching of the party’s ‘I am Sarawakian’ campaign in Sibu.

Masing hoped every Sarawakian would honour July 22 and be proud of the fact that Sarawak was already an independent nation prior to the formation of Malaysia as an equal partner with Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and the Federation of Malaya.

On public calls to declare July 22 a public holiday, he appealed to the public to let the government look into the matter.

He pointed out that declaring July 22 a public holiday is not as important as the whole state recognising the date as Sarawak’s day of independence.

“Let us settle this at another time. Maybe later on, as this is not an urgent matter at the moment. After all, when the state officially recognised Malaysia Day on Sept 16, there had never been a public holiday. More importantly, I am very pleased that the state government has been honouring (observing Sarawak Independence Day) July 22 for the last two years,” he said.

The state government will hold a special ceremony today to commemorate July 22 at the State Legislative Assembly building.

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Adenan are scheduled to attend.

On July 22, 1963, the last governor of the British Government, Sir Alexander Waddell, left the Astana and boarded a white sampan to cross the Sarawak River to hand over the government of Sarawak to its own people.

The day that the Union Jack was lowered for the last time was also the day the first cabinet meeting, presided over by Sarawak’s first chief minister, the late Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan, was held.

Sarawak later formed Malaysia together with Sabah, Malaya and Singapore on Sept 16, 1963.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/masing-joins-call-for-july-22-to-be-recognised/#ixzz3gZxOkHKA

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Resounding ‘yes’ to making today ‘Hari Sarawak’

Bruce Chai Khim Cheong

MIRI: The call by ‘Concerned Sarawakians’ to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Amar Adenan Satem to declare today, July 22, a public holiday for Sarawak or ‘Hari Sarawak’ received a resounding response from Sarawakians.

One of them, Bruce Chai Khim Cheong, supports the call as July 22 is a significant date for Sarawak.

“It’s a realistic approach based on the fact that Sarawak regards July 22 as her Independence Day, and Sept 16 as the day of her joining in the formation of Malaysia as an equal partner.

“Let Aug 31 be to celebrate Malaya’s independence from colonial rule, and the formation of the Federation of Malaya,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday. Many Sarawakians like Bruce, who is United People’s Party (UPP) Pujut branch chairman, are aware that July 22 was the day Sarawak was granted independence from colonial rule by the British Empire.

This liberty was superseded by another agreement – the 18-point agreement – for partnership with Sabah, Singapore and Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia.

Chai said with too many public holidays already, any call for additional holidays should be based on factual significance, and the need to acknowledge the day with a public holiday.

The UPP Central organising secretary therefore suggested that Sarawak declare July 22 a public holiday to replace a public holiday that is of less significance to her.

On Sunday, hundreds of people in the state held a peaceful parade in Kuching, Sibu and Miri to call for July 22 to be celebrated as Independence Day for Sarawak.

In Miri, the event was organised by the civil rights movement – Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S).

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/22/resounding-yes-to-making-today-hari-sarawak/#ixzz3gZrw6gUR

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Fifty-five days of self-rule; if only it had been 55 years!

BLAST FROM THE PAST: There is no separating observing Sarawak Independence Day on July 22 and the unity call ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S)’ because on that date, for the first time in history Sarawakians were given the right to self-rule.

On that date in 1963, Sarawakians were given Sarawak.

Real self-rule maybe brief, 55 days in fact – as on Sept 16, 1963 Malaysia came into being and Sarawak agreed to be part of the newly-formed federation. But its significance cannot be denied.

The White Rajahs ruled Sarawak for slightly over a 100 years from 1846 – when the first Rajah James Brooke came with guns, or canons rather, blazing, putting the fright of his life of Brunei Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin’s Sarawak governor, Pangiran Makota Rajah Muda Hassim – to 1946, when Sarawak was made a British Crown Colony.

In the years leading up to July 22 1963, several very important developments took place, one of which was the passing of the Local Authorities Ordinance in 1948, which allowed the people to participate in the administration of their local areas through their representative councillors.

The first local council elections by secret votes were held for the Kuching Municipal Council in November 1956, and by 1959, following  a Constitution drawn in 1957 by the third Governor, Sir Anthony Abell,  Sarawak’s first “general election” was held when Sarawakians went to the polls to elect the councillors of the local authorities. 

The 1957 Constitution, contained, among others, provision for the make-up of the Supreme Council, which advised the Governor on government policies approved by the Council Negri, and saw to it that they were implemented; and provision for the Council Negri composition – 18 official and 24 unofficial members.

Among the official members were the Chief Secretary and those appointed by the Governor to represent certain sections of the community, while the unofficial members were drawn from thosewho won the district council elections.

In her book ‘Sarawak 1839-1963’ Joan Rawlins wrote: 

“An unofficial member of the Council Negri had first to be elected to his local District Council; then he had to be elected by the District Councillors to the Divisional Council; and then by the Divisional Councillors to Council Negri.”

It was basically a government by the Local Authorities, although by this time politics had already had a strong influence in determining the results of elections, whether internal or public. 

The first political party, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) was established in 1959 followed by Parti Negara Sarawak (Panas) in 1960, and Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in 1961. 

Members of the two parties and those politically emancipated, who later went on to form such parties as Barisan Ra'ayat Jati Sarawak (Barjasa), Sarawak Chinese Association (SCA) and Parti Pesaka Sarawak (Pesaka), had their hands in these elections.

Further changes were made to the Constitution in 1963. Among the provisions were a general election involving the political parties and the politically emancipated, and for the appointment of the Chief Minister who would be the leader of a political party with the most number of seats in the Council Negri.

Elections were held between April and July 1963, and when the votes were counted Sarawak Alliance (a coalition of all parties except SUPP and Panas) won 138 seats, SUPP 116, Panas 59 and Independent 116.

Rawlins wrote: “The Sarawak Alliance polled the largest number of votes although it suffered the defeat of some of its non-Dayak leaders. Mr Stephen Kalong Ningkan, the leader of Sarawak National Party, was called on by the Governor to be the Chief Minister and Head of the Government. Mr Ningkan chose five colleagues from Council Negri to serve with him as ministers on Supreme Council and to take responsibility for certain government departments. Mr James Wong (independent) became Deputy Chief Minister; Inche Abdul Taib bin Mahmud (nominated member) was given charge of Communications and Works; Mr Teo Kui Seng (nominated member) was given charge of Natural Resources; Mr Dunstan Endawi (Alliance) became Minister of Local Government; and Awang Hipni bin Pengiran Annu (Alliance) became Minister of State.

It was to this group of Sarawakians led by Ningkan that Governor Sir Alexander Waddell handed over control of all government affairs on July 22, 1963. 

Thus begun Sarawak’s self-rule that, however, lasted for a mere 55 days.

Brief as it may, it was 55 days of independence when the fate of a nation state and her people were in their own hands.

Those 55 days in 1963 did not come easy. 

Notable was the death of Sarawak’s second Governor Duncan Steward in the hands of one of the “anti-cessionists” who called themselves “Brooke men” or “Sarawak men” or “Colony men”.

This is why July 22 is very meaningful to Sarawakians who must surely look back at those 55 days in 1963 as the apex of their political struggle when Sarawak was given to Sarawakians.

And so the continuing cry, ‘Sarawak for Sarawakians’.

Unfortunately, they were never given the chance to really prove themselves. 

Self-rule was quickly overtaken by the formation of Malaysia, leaving Sarawakians to wonder if they would not have fared better if the 55 days had been 55 years! 

Source: http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/Fifty-five-days-of-self-rule-if-only-it-had-been-55-years#sthash.YuAN3gKn.gvmirlgz.dpuf

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Kenyataan RASMI SSKM-SSU(UK) Berhubung Dengan Larangan Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak oleh Ketua Polis Negara, Khalid Abu Bakar.

"Tunjukkan dengan keberanian bahawa tiada sesiapapun yang mampu menghalang bangsa negara Sarawak daripada merayakan Hari Kemerdekaannya. Jikalau ada sesiapa yang menafikan tarikh tersebut bukan Hari Kemerdekaan, maka adalah menjadi tanggungjawab bangsa negara Sarawak untuk mendapatkan tarikh tersebut dengan bermaruah melalui kebangkitan Nasionalisme!"

Salam sejahtera, salam hormat, salam Kemerdekaan negara Sarawak dan salam Kemerdekaan negara Sabah untuk kali ke-52 tahun. Saya Doris Jones mewakili sebuah kumpulan sosial didalam Facebook yang bernama Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) yang kini sudah berdaftar secara sah sebagai sebuah NGO dengan nama Sabah Sarawak Union-United Kingdom (SSU-UK) dibawah bidang kuasa perundangan kerajaan United Kingdom Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) ingin membuat kenyataan rasmi berhubung dengan larangan sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak oleh Ketua Polis Negara Malaysia, Khalid Abu Bakar.

Didalam kenyataannya di Astro Awani, Khalid telah mengugut rakyat negara Sarawak bahawa "Pihak Polis tidak akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan dibawah undang-undang sedia ada terhadap penganjur dan ahli-ahli jawatankuasanya demi menjaga kesejahteraan rakyat dan kedaulatan negara" [1]. Selain itu, dia juga mendakwa bahawa kononnya "ada pihak merancang mahu menggunakan acara itu untuk membangkitkan sentimen rakyat Sarawak untuk keluar daripada Malaysia" [2].

Pertama [1], apakah undang-undang yang bakal digunakan keatas penganjur dan ahli-ahli jawatankuasanya jikalau Perayaan ini telah mematuhi prosedur yang telah ditetapkan? Mereka telah memberi notis pemberitahuan akan perlaksanaan program ini lebih awal daripada tarikh perayaan. Apa yang mereka lakukan adalah berlandaskan kepada garis panduan undang-undang yang telah termaktub didalam perlembagaan persekutuan pada Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2012.

Kedua [2], dakwaan liar ini merupakan satu fitnah terhadap perayaan sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak. Bangsa Negara Sarawak tidaklah sebodoh yang anda fikirkan. Tarikh tersebut adalah tarikh keramat yang istimewa bagi bangsa negara Sarawak kerana pada tarikh tersebutlah bangsa negara Sarawak dapat memerintah negara mereka sendiri dan sudah tentulah ia mesti disambut oleh rakyat negara Sarawak. Siapakah anda yang mahu melarang sesebuah bangsa yang telah merdeka dan berdaulat ini daripada merayakan Hari penting negara mereka? Sebagai seorang ketua polis negara, tugas anda adalah untuk memastikan keamanan terjaga. Dalam konteks ini, tugas anda adalah untuk memastikan kelancaran program ini terjaga tanpa sebarang gangguan dan bukannya menghalang!

Jikalau anda mengatakan bahawa terdapat sentimen untuk membangkitkan rakyat Sarawak untuk keluar daripada Malaysia, ia sebenarnya telah dibangkitkan sendiri oleh pemimpin-pemimpin malaya yang mengatakan jikalau tidak suka malaysia, sila keluar. Persoalannya, dimanakah tindakan anda selaku ketua polis negara pada waktu itu ketika ucapan sedemikian telah dikeluarkan oleh pemimpin-pemimpin bn-umno di malaya? Mengapa tiada sebarang tindakan undang-undang dilakukan? Apabila melihat melalui definisi Persekutuan itu sendiri, ia sudah jelas, nyata bersuluh bahawa perlembagaan itu sendiri tidak mengikat bangsa negara Sarawak didalam Persekutuan kerana bangsa Negara Sarawak melalui pemimpinnya hanya menandatangani Perjanjian Pembentukkan Malaysia yang dibentuk pada 16 September 1963 dan BUKAN MENYERTAI persekutuan tanah melayu (malaya) yang telah dibentuk pada 31 Ogos 1957!

Definisi persekutuan itu jelas mengatakan bahawa perlembagaan persekutuan yang wujud kini adalah merujuk kepada persekutuan yang dibentuk pada tahun 1957 iaitu pada 31 Ogos 1957! Pada waktu tersebut, negara Sarawak masih lagi dibawah jajahan British dan belum merdeka. Dalam erti kata lain, melalui undang-undang perlembagaan itu juga sendri telah mengeluarkan negara Sarawak daripada Persekutuan Malaysia. Mengapa tiada penangkapan dilakukan terhadap ahli-ahli parlimen yang telah mengubal perlembagaan tersebut?

Jikalau sebarang tangkapan dibuat semasa Hari Perayaan Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak pada 22 Julai 2015 di Bandaraya Kuching, ini akan menjadi faktor PENCETUS kepada PEMANGKIN KEBANGKITAN NASIONALISME di Negara Sarawak. Ini kerana, perbuatan sedemikian akan menyampaikan mesej yang jelas bahawa bangsa Negara Sarawak sebenarnya dijajah oleh malaya.

Ini juga kerana, jika bangsa Negara Sarawak terhalang daripada bersuara demi hak negara sendiri, terhalang mempertahankan kedaulatan negara sendiri melalui sambutan perayaan Hari Kemerdekaan negara mereka dan terhalang dalam menjaga identiti negara yang sudah merdeka pada 22 Julai 1963, maka itu adalah mesej yang jelas bahawa Penjajahan sebenarnya sedang berlaku selama ini tanpa disedari.

Dan didalam perayaan ini juga, ingin pihak SSKM-SSU(UK) nafikan sebarang keterlibatan sepanjang program ini tetapi sokongan moral diberikan sepenuhnya kepada pihak penganjur. Penjelasan ini dibuat adalah untuk mengelak sebarang usaha yang cuba untuk mensabotaj Perayaan Sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan ini yang dianjurkan oleh NGO-NGO yang berjiwa Patriotik!

Kepada semua bangsa negara Sarawak, sudah 50 tahun lamanya bangsa negara Sarawak ditakutkan dengan ugutan perkataan dan fizikal. Apakah anda sanggup lagi membiarkan suara-suara sumbang daripada seberang ini untuk terus mengurung anda didalam dunia realiti ini? Apakah bangsa negara Sarawak begitu mudah dibuli oleh orang luar? Jikalau anda tidak mahu dibuli dan ditakutkan lagi oleh suara-suara ugutan ini, buktikan jiwa Kemerdekaan dan Kedaulatan yang selama ini didiamkan oleh anda semua. Tunjukkan dengan keberanian bahawa tiada sesiapapun yang mampu menghalang bangsa negara Sarawak daripada merayakan Hari Kemerdekaannya. Jikalau ada sesiapa yang menafikan tarikh tersebut bukan Hari Kemerdekaan, maka adalah menjadi tanggungjawab bangsa negara Sarawak untuk mendapatkan tarikh tersebut dengan bermaruah melalui kebangkitan Nasionalisme!

Semoga acara perayaan sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan negara Sarawak berjalan dengan jayanya.

Dum Spiro Spero.

Doris Jones.

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Batalkan perhimpunan Sarawak for Sarawakians - Ketua Polis Negara

KUALA LUMPUR: Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar memberi amaran kepada penganjur perhimpunan dan perarakan Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) supaya membatalkan acara itu yang dijadual diadakan di Kuching pada Rabu "atas sebab-sebab keselamatan dan kemudaratan awam."

"Pihak polis tidak akan teragak-agak untuk mengambil tindakan di bawah undang-undang sedia ada terhadap penganjur dan ahli-ahli jawatankuasanya demi menjaga kesejahteraan rakyat dan kedaulatan negara," katanya dalam satu kenyataan media.

Menurut Khalid, biarpun pihak polis sudah dimaklumkan mengenai perhimpunan dan perarakan itu selaras dengan kehendak undang-undang, pihaknya ada maklumat ada pihak merancang mahu menggunakan acara itu untuk membangkitkan sentimen rakyat Sarawak untuk keluar daripada Malaysia.

Kumpulan sama pada April lalu mengadakan tunjuk perasaan di Tebingan Kuching pada hari pertama persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak yang berlangsung di seberang tebingan itu. Mereka kemudian bersurai selepas satu perbincangan dengan pihak polis.

Pada perhimpunan itu juga, kumpulan tersebut mengumumkan rancangan mengadakan perhimpunan dan perarakan di Padang Merdeka pada 22 Julai. Kumpulan itu mendakwa akan menghimpunkan 5,000 warga Sarawak termasuk mereka yang menetap di luar negara.

Sarawak mencapai kemerdekaan pada 22 Julai 1963 sebelum kemudiannya bersama-sama Malaya, Sabah dan Singapura membentuk persekutuan Malaysia.

Media baru-baru ini melaporkan ada usaha sekumpulan aktivis untuk membentuk sebuah parti politik baru di Sarawak yang akan menggunakan slogan Sarawak for Sarawakians menjelang pilihan raya negeri.

Pilihan raya negeri Sarawak dijadual diadakan sebelum Jun 2016.

Source: http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/batalkan-perhimpunan-sarawak-sarawakians-ketua-polis-negara-66519

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Citing secession threat, police want Sarawak independence walk cancelled

Police have advised organisers of the Sarawak Freedom and Independence Walk to cancel the event scheduled in Kuching tomorrow, following information that it would be used to call for a secession from the Federation of Malaysia.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said although police had received notice of the walk ahead of the 10-day notice period required under the Peaceful Assembly Act, police still wanted the organisers to call off the event in the Sarawak capital.

"Police received information that there are certain parties, which are planning to use the gathering/walk as a platform to incite and evoke the sentiments of Sarawakians to secede from the federation," the top cop said in a statement today.

"This incitement goes against the Federal Constitution. Police will not hesitate to take action under the available laws against organisers and committee members to preserve the well-being of the people and the sovereignty of the country."

The statement also said: "Police would also like to advise the organisers to not continue with the gathering/walk for reasons of security and public order."

The Sarawak for Sarawakians public rally will be held in Kuching this year and organisers had previously said that some 5,000 people from towns such as Miri, Bintulu and Sibu, were expected to attend.

It is being organised by a group of Sarawak nationalists who call themselves Group 722, referring to July 22, the date when Sarawak had gained independence from the British.

The Sarawak Freedom and Independence Walk had begun in 2013 and the leader of the group, Peter John Jaban, vowed to continue organising the walk until their demand for official recognition was met.

“We will continue to do the public walk until they gazette it for the people of Sarawak,” said Jaban of Radio Free Sarawak.

Jaban had also warned overenthusiastic nationalists against carrying placards that implicated or were derogatory to the king and Islam, or uttering racial sentiments or political ideologies.

Calls for Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia have become louder in recent months over a myriad of issues including the inequality between East and West Malaysia and also proposal to introduce the hudud law in Kelantan.

To silence these voices, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has criminalised secession calls under the amendments to the Sedition Act earlier this year. – July 21, 2015.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/citing-secession-threat-police-want-sarawak-independence-walk-cancelled#sthash.B1BBuPeD.dpuf

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Is it true that Sarawak Independence Day will confuse the Sarawakian?

Brief explanation from Peter John Jaban and Midek Johnek about Sarawak Independence Day 2015 in respond to Wan Junaidi's statement which against the Sarawak Independence Day's celebration.

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Kenyataan RASMI SSKM-SSU(UK) Terhadap Kenyataan Wan Junaidi Berhubung Dengan Perarakan Kemerdekaan

"Dalam menuntut hak bangsa, ia bukanlah satu bentuk permainan yang boleh diadakan sesuka hati oleh sekolompok manusia tetapi ia sebenarnya adalah satu tanggungjawab bersama, beban yang mesti dipikul dan perjuangan yang disusuli dengan pengorbanan yang akan memberikan kehidupan dan harapan baru kepada generasi dimasa hadapan."

Salam sejahtera, salam hormat dan salam Merdeka buat bangsa negara Sarawak dan bangsa negara Sabah yang merdeka dan berdaulat untuk kali ke-52 tahun. Saya Doris Jones, mewakili sebuah kumpulan sosial didalam Facebook yang bernama Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) dan kini sudah bergerak secara aktif melalui sebuah NGO yang bernama Sabah Sarawak Union - United Kingdom (SSU-UK), yang sudah berdaftar secara sah dibawah bidang kuasa perundangan United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) ingin membuat kenyataan rasmi berhubung dengan kenyataan Wan Junaidi yang mengatakan bahawa Perarakan akan mengelirukan orang awam.

Didalam kenyataannya di Borneo Post Online yang bertarikh 19 Julai 2015, dia mengatakan bahawa "perarakan tersebut akan mengelirukan orang awam" [1]. Selain itu, dia menguatkan hujahnya dengan mengatakan bahawa "Saya tidak menafikan hak untuk merayakannya. Tidak salah untuk merayakan tetapi ia akan mengelirukan orang awam kerana kita sudah mempunyai 31 Ogos dan 16 September. Berapa banyak lagi tarikh yang diperlukan untuk dirayakan?" [2]. Dan dia menambahkan lagi kenyataannya dengan hujah "Di Amerika Syarikat, setiap negeri mempunyai tarikh yang tersendiri menyertai Amerika Syarikat tetapi Amerika hanya merayakan 4 Julai sebagai tarikh Hari Kemerdekaan mereka setelah negara-negara disekitar Amerika Utara bersekutu dengan Amerika Syarikat" [3]. Wan Junaidi juga telah memberikan satu contoh keadaan bahawa "Tanah Melayu telah membentuk kabinet mereka pada bulan Mac 1953 dan Tunku Abdul Rahman pada ketika itu adalah Ketua Menteri. Kenapa mereka tidak merayakan tarikh tersebut apabila kabinet itu dibentuk pada tahun 1953?" [4]. Dia kemudiannya mencadangkan bahawa "perlunya untuk menetapkan satu tarikh untuk Malaysian merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan mereka" [5].

Pertama [1], pihak kami tertanya-tanya, siapakah yang sebenarnya yang akan mengelirukan orang awam? Adakah perarakan untuk menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak kali ke-53 tahun ini yang mana negara Sarawak telah mencapai Kemerdekaannya pada 22 Julai 1963 atau dengan menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Malaya yang bertopengkan Malaysia pada 31 Ogos 1957? Wan Junaidi seharusnya tahu bahawa 31 Ogos 1957 itu merupakan Hari Kemerdekaan Malaya dan pada waktu tersebut, negara Sarawak masih lagi merupakan Tanah Jajahan Makhota British. Jadi, siapakah sebenarnya yang cuba untuk mengelirukan orang awam? Adakah Wan Junaidi sebenarnya cuba memberitahu rakyat negara Sarawak bahawa mereka perlu menghormati malaya dengan menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Malaya dan membiarkan Hari Kemerdekaan Negara sendiri tidak dihormati? Biar rakyat negara Sarawak menjawab persoalan ini untuk anda.

Kedua [2], kenyataan ini benar-benar mengesahkan bahawa Wan Junaidi sebenarnya adalah seorang yang buta sejarah tentang sejarah negaranya sendiri. Bagaimana seorang pemimpin yang bertaraf Timbalan Menteri Dalam Negeri di peringkat Kerajaan Persekutuan tidak mampu untuk memahami perjalanan sejarah negara sendiri? Ini adalah sangat memalukan. Jikalau Wan Junaidi memaksudkan 31 Ogos 1957, itu adalah tarikh kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaya). 16 September 1963 pula merupakan Hari Pembentukkan Persekutuan Malaysia. Dua tarikh ini merupakan dua tarikh yang berbeza sama sekali kerana mempunyai signifikan jalan penceritaan sejarahnya yang cukup berbeza seperti langit dan bumi. Kenyataan Wan Junaidi juga seoalah-olah berada diatas pagar yang jelas menunjukkan yang dia mahu menyokong tetapi sebenarnya membantah. Adalah menjadi HAK MUTLAK KERAJAAN NEGARA SARAWAK UNTUK MERAYAKAN SEBERAPA BANYAK PUN TARIKH YANG MEMPUNYAI SIGNIFIKAN TERHADAP KERAJAAN DAN BANGSA NEGARA SARAWAK. Persoalannya, adakah Hari Kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu iaitu pada 31 Ogos 1957 itu  mempunyai signifikan ataupun kepentingan kepada Kerajaan dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak? Sila jawab dengan jujur!

Ketiga [3], tidakkah Wan Junaidi sedar bahawa sejarah Hari Kemerdekaan Amerika Syarikat itu sungguh jauh berbeza untuk disamakan dan dijadikan rujukan kepada "Hari Kemerdekaan Malaysia"? Tahukah Wan Junaidi bahawa Amerika Syarikat telah terlebih dahulu mencapai Hari Kemerdekaannya dan kemudian, negara-negara disekitarnya telah menyertai Amerika Syarikat? Dengan itu, sudah tentu tarikh kemerdekaan Amerika Syarikat akan dijadikan salah satu syarat untuk diiktiraf oleh semua negara-negara yang mahu menyertai Amerika Syarikat sebagai satu tarikh kumulatif yang perlu dihormati dan dirayakan serentak di Amerika. Berbezanya dengan Malaysia kerana Malaysia itu sebenarnya tidak pernah Merdeka. Yang hanya perlu dirayakan ialah Hari Malaysia! Jikalau Wan Junaidi berkeras dengan fakta bahawa Malaysia perlu menyambut Hari Kemerdekaannya, persoalan yang perlu dijawab olehnya ialah "Pernahkah Malaysia ini dijajah? Jikalau pernah, kuasa manakah yang sebenarnya pernah menjajah Malaysia dan memberikannya kemerdekaan?"

Apa yang Wan Junaidi mungkin tidak tahu ialah Malaysia sebenarnya tidak pernah Merdeka kerana ia tidak pernah dijajah tetapi HANYA dibentuk pada 16 September 1963. Yang HANYA dijajah adalah negara-negara anggota didalam Persekutuan Malaysia iaitu negara Sarawak, negara North Borneo (kini negara Sabah), negara Singapura dan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaya) yang mana masing-masing telah mencapai Hari Kemerdekaannya pada 22 Julai 1963 bagi negara Sarawak, 31 Ogos 1963 bagi negara North Borneo dan negara Singapura, dan 31 Ogos 1957 bagi Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaya).

Dan satu lagi yang Wan Junaidi perlu tahu ialah negara-negara Borneo iaitu Negara Sarawak dan Negara North Borneo TIDAK PERNAH PUN INGIN MENYERTAI PERSEKUTUAN MALAYSIA tetapi pemimpin-pemimpin malaya yang diketuai oleh Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Lee Kuan Yew yang sebenarnya telah memujuk pemimpin-pemimpin Borneo siang dan malam untuk menyertai pembentukkan persekutuan ini dengan janji-janji manis. Orang Sabah mengatakan ia adalah "Janji Terang Bulan". Jadi, dimanakah kekeliruan yang akan timbul apabila dengan merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak, sejarah yang sebenar dengan sendirinya akan mengajar rakyat tentang kebenaran yang selama ini tidak diketahui oleh mereka. Adakah Wan Junaidi mempunyai niat untuk menyembunyikan kebenaran ini daripada pengetahuan awam?

Ketiga [4], jikalau sejarah negara sendiri pun Wan Junaidi salah, inikan pula mahu mengajar sejarah negara orang luar iaitu sejarah Malaya. Fakta yang anda gunakan sebenarnya adalah salah sama sekali. Kabinet Pertama yang ditubuhkan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu adalah pada 1 Ogos 1955 dan bukan pada bulan Mac 1953. Ini kerana pada 27 Julai 1955 adalah merupakan pilihan raya buat pertama kalinya diadakan di Malaya. Jadi, dimanakah logiknya fakta sejarah yang Wan Junaidi telah pelajari ini? Dan persoalan anda ialah mengapa mereka tidak merayakannya? Ini disebabkan mereka masih lagi dijajah oleh British dan hanya merdeka pada 31 Ogos 1957. Dan pada tarikh itulah baru mereka merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Sungguh hebat pula Timbalan Menteri Kerajaan Persekutuan ini. Sungguh tidak disangka akan kehebatannya dalam mengajar sejarah songsang kepada rakyat negara Sarawak. Ini sungguh memalukan dan mohon Wan Junaidi terasa.

Kelima [5], apa yang perlu sebenarnya dilakukan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan adalah dengan menghormati Hari Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak dan Negara Sabah. Sebagaimana kerajaan persekutuan mahu bangsa Borneo menghormati Hari Kemerdekaan Malaya, demikian jugalah yang dipinta oleh bangsa Borneo kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan. Saya ingin mencadangkan bahawa biarlah perayaan Hari Kemerdekaan ini disambut secara berasingan bagi tiga negara iaitu negara Sarawak, negara Sabah dan persekutuan tanah melayu (malaya) tetapi kemuncak kepada perayaan ini adalah pada 16 September. Ini kerana pada tarikh tersebutlah (16 September 1963) baru lahirnya Persekutuan Malaysia.

Kepada rakyat negara Sarawak yang merdeka dan berdaulat, jangan anda gentar kepada halangan yang cuba dilaksanakan kepada anda. Sebagai tuan kepada bumi negara Kenyalang ini, sampaikan mesej yang jelas kepada kerajaan persekutuan bahawa jikalau mereka menafikan bahawa negara Sarawak tidak pernah mencapai kemerdekaan pada 22 Julai 1963 yang mana ini bermaksud, pentadbiran negara Sarawak hanya diserahkan oleh British kepada malaya, maka adalah menjadi satu tanggungjawab yang wajib dalam Perjuangan ini untuk menuntut Kemerdekaan yang sebenar kerana itu sebenarnya merupakan satu bentuk penjajahan halus yang mesti dihapuskan melalui revolusi gerakkan Kemerdekaan agar bangsa negara Sarawak memiliki Kemerdekaan yang sebenar.

Perkara yang sama juga harus dilakukan di negara Sabah jikalau kerajaan persekutuan menghalang sebarang usaha untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan. Kenyataan ini bukan satu omongan kosong tetapi ia disusuli dengan satu semangat Nasionalisme yang bertanggungjawab memastikan kelangsungan kerajaan yang Merdeka dan Berdaulat kepada generasi masa depan Bangsa Borneo.

Tahniah diucapkan kepada semua warga negara Sarawak yang terlibat didalam sambutan Pra Kemerdekaan Negara Sarawak kali ke-53 yang diadakan pada tiga lokasi yang berlainan iaitu Miri, Kuching dan Bintulu. Itulah yang seharusnya dilakukan sebagai tanda menghormati dan menghayati hari yang bersejarah bagi bangsa negara Sarawak.

Akhir kata, dalam menuntut hak bangsa, ia bukanlah satu bentuk permainan yang boleh diadakan sesuka hati oleh sekolompok manusia tetapi ia sebenarnya adalah satu tanggungjawab bersama, beban yang mesti dipikul dan perjuangan yang disusuli dengan pengorbanan yang akan memberikan kehidupan dan harapan baru kepada generasi dimasa hadapan.

In Sovereignty We Breathe, In Unity We Believe

Doris Jones

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Independence day walk draws hundreds of participants

KUCHING: The ‘Sarawak Freedom and Independence Day Walk’ saw a collective number of almost a thousand participants at three different locations converging to make demands from the state government to declare July 22 as a public holiday.

Organised by the Dayak National Congress (DNC), the gathering was simultaneously held in Kuching, Sibu and Miri to act as a platform for the public to celebrate the state’s independence day from British colonial rule on July 22,1963.

It was estimated that over 300 people turned up at Padang Merdeka in Kuching, while hundreds more attended similar events in Sibu and Miri.

“This is the third year that we are organising this walk. So far, this has been our biggest turnout so far. Even the number of participants in Kuching has doubled as compared to last year,” event organising member Lina Soo told the Borneo Post yesterday.

She also said that declaring July 22 as a state public holiday would also reflect the state government’s recognition towards the significant date in Sarawak’s history.

“We also duly reject Aug 31 as that is the day when Malaya gained their independence, not Sarawak,” she added.

On another note, she further thanked the Kuching police for their full cooperation to provide crowd and traffic control during the mini procession which was led by chief marshal Peter John Jaban.

Prior to the procession, Peter explained that the whole event is not a political movement and is not held to go against the government.

“Today’s (yesterday) gathering is only to observe and celebrate our state independence day in peace and harmony among ordinary Sarawakians,” said Peter, who led the procession which started off at Padang Merdeka to Jalan McDougall, Lebuh Wayang and back via Jalan Wawasan 2020.

Prior to the gathering the participants were advised to not turn the event into a platform to show their protest or to go against the Malaysian law, he said.

He also rubbished news reports saying that celebrating Sarawak’s independence day on July 22 could cause confusion among the public when it is a historic fact.

“Ironically, celebrating Aug 31 in Sarawak is actually causing confusion among the people as it is not our independence day. It is the day when Malaya was independent, not Sarawak,” he added.

He also said prior to Aug 31, 1957, Sarawak was known as Negara Sarawak and it was only on Sept 16, 1963 when Sarawak together with Sabah and Malaya formed the Malaysia Federation.

“That is why July 22 and Sept 16 are the only dates which are significant to Sarawak and her people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the July 22 independence day parade led by civil rights movement Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) is expected to be held on a much larger scale as participants from Sibu, Miri, Bintulu, Lundu, Sri Aman will all converge in Kuching.

“I know that there will be a bigger crowd and definitely some provocations from certain individuals. Therefore, I am urging all the participants to stay calm and if there are any problems or a commotion, everyone should immediately sit down where they are standing. This will reveal who are the trouble makers as they will be the only ones standing,” Peter said.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/20/independence-day-walk-draws-hundreds-of-participants/#ixzz3gOvfN8rN

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Hundreds march in support of S4S Rally in Miri

MIRI: Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered at Miri City Council’s (MCC) field here yesterday in support of the 52nd Sarawak Independence Day Rally organised by Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S).

The participants could be seen carrying their respective banners, flags and placards as they walked from Marina Bay to the field.

In her opening speech, organising secretary Hanim Jaree said that the Sarawak Independence Day which falls on July 22 should be acknowledged by all as it is a very important part of history.

“Today is a special gathering for Mirians who may not be able to go to Kuching for the gathering on July 22,” she said.

Hanim also congratulated the organising team for making the event a success and the police for ensuring the event ran smoothly.

Among the activities held were a Zumba dance demonstration and live band performances to entertain the crowd.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/07/20/hundreds-march-in-support-of-s4s-rally-in-miri/#ixzz3gP0YcZl0

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