CEREMONIAL WELCOME: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (right) accompanies the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong upon his arrival at Padang Merdeka. — Bernama photo
Prime Minister says Sarawakians made correct decision in agreeing to help form Malaysia
KUCHING: The grand celebration of Malaysia Day at Padang Merdeka where thousands of Sarawakians marked 50 years of their state’s independence through the formation of Malaysia proved the state made the right decision on September 16, 1963.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said this at the Malaysia Day celebration themed ‘Sarawak Harmony, Prosperity Blessed’ graced by Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at Padang Merdeka here yesterday.
He pointed out that Sarawak had progressed well since agreeing to form Malaysia half a century ago, and would continue to prosper for the next 50 years.
“With Sarawak’s achievements thus far and so many people coming together for this Malaysia Day celebration, we can determine it was a very right decision Sarawak made 50 years ago.
“What we have is not just a journey of 50 years as we are confident Malaysia as well as Sarawak will record more achievements under the leadership of Barisan Nasional (BN) for another 50 years.”
He also assured the federal government would fully back the transformation plans of Sarawak to achieve its high-income status.
Towards this end, he said a development agenda would be formulated to spur the development in rural areas throughout Sarawak.
“We will also need to focus on rural development so that Sarawak is kept on par with its counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I am representing the federal government, which will continue to help and support Sarawak transform to become a more developed state.”
He expressed confidence the close collaboration between the federal government and state government politically through BN would ensure Sarawak’s future development.
On the celebration, Najib said it was not just an occasion to mark Malaysia Day and measured merely in terms of scale or the number of people involved.
Rather, it was a reflection of Sarawakians’ choice through the Cobbold Commission 50 years ago when the majority wanted independence through the formation of Malaysia, he added.
He was also proud to see people of Sarawak and Sabah, despite their diversity in ethnicity, living in seamless harmony, which should be emulated by their counterparts throughout the country.
“There are 27 ethnic groups in Sarawak which is very unique, but in their daily lives, there are no barriers among them.”