SIBU: A historical work documenting Sarawak’s independence struggle, ‘Secebis Kisah Perjuangan Bangsa: Ikhlasnya Pengorbanan Indahnya Kemerdekaan’by the late Hamdan Marais, was launched at Hotel Tanahmas here.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof officiated the launch of the book on Sunday, which was successfully published by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch in recognition of the late Hamdan’s contributions and efforts in producing the meaningful publication.
The book documents past events related to the history and figures involved in Sarawak’s independence struggle through recordings of personal experiences and research conducted by the late author himself.
Fadillah said the book offers important lessons to Malaysia’s younger generation, especially those involved in community leadership and politics.
He reminded that failure to understand history could cause past mistakes to be repeated and hinder progress.
“Nowadays, if we do not learn history, it will not provide lessons for us. Because if we do not learn history, history will repeat itself. Past mistakes will recur, we will not be able to move forward,” he said in his speech.
As a sign of support, Fadillah also announced an allocation to print 5,000 copies of the book for distribution to schools throughout Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia as teaching material and future guidance.
Earlier, DBP director-general Hazami Jahari said in his welcoming speech that the book marked the second collaboration between the author and DBP.
Previously, through the publication of the first book titled Masjid Al-Qadim Nadi Masyarakat Islam Sibu in 2022, the late author, better known as Pak Den, served as a research associate who provided various information related to the history of the Malay community settlements in Sibu to DBP.
“During the process of producing this work, the late Pak Den sincerely hoped that this book would be read and utilised by future generations as a lesson on the importance of recording every historical event and the development of the nation,” he said.
