KUCHING: Malaysia Standard Time is, in reality, Sabah and Sarawak Standard Time — a long-standing geographical fact that many Malaysians remain unaware of.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said that geographically, Malaya should fall under UTC+7, similar to Thailand and parts of Indonesia.
However, a decision was made on Jan 1, 1982, to move the clocks forward to UTC+8 through legislation passed in Parliament.
“It has always struck me that at 7 am in Miri, it is already bright and sunny, while in Langkawi, it can still be dark.
“That decision was taken in the name of national unity, to align Malaya with Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Dr Sim said while there have been many discussions on the medical, economic and geopolitical impacts of time zones, the authority to make or change such decisions lies solely with lawmakers.
“Ultimately, it is only the Members of Parliament who can pass, amend or repeal laws. This responsibility cannot be taken lightly,” he said.
Dr Sim pointed out that time changes are not new to Malaysia, citing historical references showing that Malaya’s time had been adjusted eight times since 1901, while Sabah and Sarawak experienced six changes since 1921.
Touching on the broader historical context, he reiterated Sarawak’s position in the formation of Malaysia, referring to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Sarawak did not join Malaysia — Sarawak helped form Malaysia. Without Sarawak, there would be no Malaysia. Even without the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Sarawak would still exist,” he said.
Dr Sim this historical reality serves as a reminder of the responsibilities entrusted to elected representatives, particularly in matters of legislation and nation building.
“Let us continue to come together, with everyone playing their role in Sarawak’s development. The Sarawak way can also offer another path forward for Malaysia’s nation-building journey,” he added.
