Malaysia Day on 16 September, is now a national holiday and officially observed nationwide that carries a unique & enduring significance meaning for the people in Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak. In conjunction with this auspicious day, my wife, Zarina hosted hi-tea for our family at Dotty's Pastries & Coffee in IOI City Mall Putrajaya. An interesting conversations recurred among our grandchildren whether Malaysia ought to be considered 68 years old or 62?
My son, Farouq explained to the kids, “That while 31 August is rightly celebrated as National (Merdeka) Day, it signifies the independence of Malaya from British rule, not the creation of Malaysia itself. To Sabahans & Sarawakians, Malaysia Day on 16 September carries far deeper resonance. It marks the moment when Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak came together to form a new federation, a partnership that gave birth to Malaysia we know today.”
To enrich the storytelling about Malaysia Day, I narrated my memorable experience working with PETRONAS Carigali and living with Sabahans (1986) in Kota Kinabalu and Sarawakians (1990-1992) in Miri. Both states have strong community ties, with family and cultural connections being really important. To add value, when working with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) in 1990s-2000s, I had the opportunity visiting all domestic MAS stations in Sabah & Sarawak.
I believe for Malaysia Day to gain meaning in the years ahead, three factors strike me as vital. Education must continue to teach young Malaysians about the events of its formation in 1963, not just as a passing detail but as a central part of national history. Cultural inclusion must remain central, with the extraordinary diversity of all states showcased as a strength of the nation. Most importantly, the spirit of partnership as promised in Malaysia Agreement.
My nephew, Sarawakian Ashraf (eldest son of my brother, Mustapha) residing in Kuching said, “It's our story together. Without Sabah & Sarawak, there is no Malaysia.” That simple statement captures the essence of Malaysia Day. 16 September is not merely a national holiday, it is a reminder that Malaysia is a living partnership.
Zulkifly Baharom (hajizul50@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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