Dennis (sixth left) leads members of Telang Usan PBB Youth in the cake-cutting ceremony to mark Sarawak Day 2017 celebration at Piasau Boat Club.
MIRI: The majority of Mirians see Sarawak Day as being more than just a celebration or a gazetted public holiday.
The date July 22 signifies the day when Sarawak was granted self-rule in 1963 before it partnered with North Borneo (Sabah), Singapore and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) in forming Malaysia on Sept 16 that same year.
The state’s fifth chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared the day as a state holiday last year.
For local entrepreneur Sebastian Lim, Sarawak Day deals with ‘a matter of identity’.
“Acknowledging Sarawak Day equals to acknowledging our identity as well as the spirit of our motherland. These are the most important things to us, as Sarawakians,” the 26-year-old told thesundaypost.
Lim also hoped that after 54 years, the state would see more developments not just the physical ones, but also social developments.
“Sarawakians should be independent in their minds to speak up when things are not going in line, or those not for the best of their interest. I wish to call upon the younger generation to voice out their opinions or about changes that they want to see.
“When we say harmony, it means more than tolerance. We need to accept – acceptance only comes when everyone is free to express their opinions and able to voice out what they want. Although they may not necessarily get what they want, at least the people could hear them out and consider their opinions and ideas,” he added.
For Nurhadiatul Sukinah Jamali, Sarawak Day marks an achievement of a state that is united.
“Despite the many races and religions, we Sarawakians have been living harmoniously together since 1963. We would love to stay that way,” said the 27-year-old sales representative.
Nevertheless, she believed that there is a need for more individuals or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take part in celebrating Sarawak Day.
“We must admit that there are still those who do not understand Sarawak Day. Through more involvements, we Sarawakians get to tell the story about how Sarawak got to have its own government, separate from the British colonial rule.”
Just like Lim, Bella also hoped for Sarawak to have more facilities, especially in education.
“I also hope that we would get high-speed Internet across Sarawak and also for us to receive more tourists,” she said.
Meanwhile, Aloysius Cornelius Susek said Sarawak Day serves to remind all Sarawakians the struggles of their forefathers.
“Without them, there would not be the Sarawak that we know of today,” said the 28-year-old lawyer and singer.
He also wished for the celebration to be as grand and festive as those meant for National Day and Malaysia Day.
“This, I believe, could help boost the tourism industry in Sarawak,” he added.
This city held many activities in celebration of Sarawak Day, including the ‘722 Run for Sarawak’ conducted by the Pujut, Piasau, Senadin, Bekenu and Lambir branches of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), as well as a gathering hosted by Telang Usan PBB Youth at the Piasau Boat Club, where Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau was present.