For Sarawakians, Malaysia Day is a time to celebrate unity, diversity and what brings Malaysians together.
Across generations, the celebration means different things, from appreciating the country’s history and freedom to cherishing the everyday harmony among its diverse communities.
In a Sarawak Tribune street vox pop, students, working adults and seniors shared what Malaysia Day means to them, what makes them proud of Sarawak and what they hope the celebration will continue to represent.
MUHAMAD UMAR, 15
SMK Bintulu student
For me, Malaysia Day is about different communities coming together. For example, Iban, Malay and Chinese people coming together, working together and helping one another. It is also about strengthening our relationships between the different races and working together, especially in education and other areas. Basically, it’s about helping each other and staying united. I think some people understand what Malaysia Day means, while some may not. Nowadays, everything is more modern, so there are people who know and understand its meaning, but there are also those who don’t really know. So, I think it depends on the person. For me, I hope Malaysia Day can continue to bring the different communities together. We have so many different races and cultures, especially here in Sarawak, so I think it is important that we continue to work together and help one another.
MOHAMMAD NURHAFIQ, 21
Student
For me, Malaysia Day is a day to celebrate the independence that was fought for by the people and historical figures who came before us. More importantly, it is a time for us to be grateful for the freedom and independence that we have achieved today. I think not everyone among the younger generation fully understands the meaning of Malaysia Day. We can see this from some of the trends happening today, where many of us tend to follow foreign cultures. Because of that, we may sometimes take less pride in the traditions and culture that we have in our own country. In a way, although we are independent, it can sometimes feel like we are still being influenced by outside cultures. Personally, I think Sarawak is unique because of the way it has its own identity. When people talk about Sarawak’s contribution to Malaysia, they often highlight its economic contributions and natural resources. But on a personal level, I think Sarawak also contributes many unique traditions. At the same time, Sarawak is developing rapidly and has made progress through cooperation with other countries, including France and Japan, as seen through initiatives undertaken by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. For me, I hope the Malaysia Day celebration represents more than just a commemoration of our independence. It should also be a reminder for us to appreciate the freedom we have, be proud of our own traditions and culture, and understand the contributions of the different states that make up Malaysia.
MARY ALVINA, 30
Administration staff
For me, Malaysia Day is about unity among Malaysians. It reminds us that Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia came together to form Malaysia. Being from Bau, I think we can really see that diversity here, where people from different backgrounds and cultures live together. I think people, especially young people, are becoming more aware of Malaysia Day and what it means, although there are still some who may not really understand its history and importance. I’m proud of Sarawak because of our diverse cultures and communities. Even in Bau, we can see different traditions and people living together. Apart from that, Sarawak also contributes to Malaysia through our natural resources, economy and energy sector. I hope Malaysia Day can remind us to appreciate this diversity and stay united. For me, it is not just about celebrating the day itself, but also appreciating what each state, including Sarawak, brings to Malaysia.
ESTHERIN WONG, 31
Founder of Rebuild women’s wellness community
For me, Malaysia Day is about unity. We all come from different races, cultures and backgrounds, but at the end of the day, we still call ourselves Malaysians. It’s also a day for us to appreciate how Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya came together to form Malaysia. Honestly, I think there is still more we can do to educate people, especially the younger generation, and create greater awareness about Malaysia Day. Just yesterday, I was chatting with a friend and they asked me, “What is special about September 16?” (Jokingly) I thought, “Oh my God!” But I think moments like that show that we can still do more to share the history and meaning behind the day. As a Sarawakian, what I’m most proud of is how diverse we are. We have so many different races, cultures and backgrounds, but we still call each other family. That’s what I’m really proud of, the spirit of Sarawakians. I hope Malaysia Day continues to remind us that despite all our differences, we are still one Malaysia. It’s a day to appreciate our diversity, our unity and the people we share this country with. Selamat Hari Malaysia!
ABDUL KADIR, 41
Electrical chargeman
I think, nowadays, people usually organise events to celebrate Malaysia Day. In these events, you can see people from different races and communities coming together. For me, that is one way people can strengthen relationships with one another in Malaysia, regardless of race, religion or culture.
I think people are quite aware of Malaysia Day because these events bring everyone together. When people take part in them, they get to meet and interact with others from different backgrounds. So, I think that helps people understand what the celebration is about. As for what I’m proud of about Sarawak’s contribution to Malaysia, one of the main things is our oil and gas resources. That’s one. Then, in Kuching, we also have many tourist attractions and places for people to visit. Our food is another thing too. We have many good things here. For me, Malaysia Day simply means independence. We are free from colonial rule already. I hope Malaysia Day can continue to bring people together, no matter what race, religion or culture they come from. That’s all.
NORHAYATI, 68
Housewife
I’m originally from Kelantan, but I’ve been living in Kuching for a long time already. I’ve gotten used to life here, and I’ve also built my family here, so I’m quite settled in Sarawak already. For me, Malaysia Day is a meaningful day for all of us, isn’t it? We’ve already celebrated our independence, and since then, we’ve seen a lot of development. There are so many different religions and cultures here, but we can all live together harmoniously. Our economy is also doing well, and there has been a lot of development, so I think all these things are something good for us to celebrate on Malaysia Day.
I feel that many people understand what Malaysia Day means, especially the younger ones. The children nowadays learn about it in school, so they know about Malaysia Day and why it is important. And what I’m proud of about Sarawak is that we contribute in many ways, especially in terms of the economy and politics. We have our oil and gas, and there are many natural resources here. Then, in terms of politics, our people and our state leaders have also contributed to Malaysia. So, yes… it’s good. Best! Happy Malaysia Day!
