SIBU: Following a police report lodged on behalf of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth Central against a Facebook page known as “Berita 757” over a video titled “Sarawak Buta Sejarah” made on March 1, its chief Kevin Lau Kor Jie has provided a further statement on Tuesday upon request by the investigating officer.
Kevin was accompanied by Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew for the purpose at Sibu Central Police Station.
“My presence was to assist the authorities by providing clarification to support the ongoing investigation,” he said in a statement late Tuesday afternoon.
Reiterating the Youth Central’s firm position on the matter, Kevin pointed out that the phrase “Sarawak Buta Sejarah” is deeply condescending and disrespectful to Sarawakians.
“It implies that our people are ignorant of our own history, which is both inaccurate and unacceptable.
“We seek to correct the misleading and distorted historical narratives presented by “Berita 757.” Historical accuracy is not a matter of opinion, and any attempt to misrepresent it must be addressed responsibly,” he said.
According to him, historically, Sarawak functioned as an independent kingdom under the Brooke administration, maintaining its own system of governance, judiciary, currency, and armed forces.
It also had its own flag and anthem, and conducted foreign relations, he said, adding, the United States formally recognised Sarawak in 1850, followed by Britain in 1863.
Its governance structure, he stated, included the Council Negri, which comprised representatives of local communities alongside appointed officials.
In 1941, he said, Sarawak adopted a written constitution under Charles Vyner Brooke, introducing the Nine Cardinal Principles, later referenced in the Cobbold Commission Report 1962.
Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, he said, Sarawak was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1946 through a decision of the Council Negri, becoming a British Crown Colony.
Importantly, he pointed out that the Nine Cardinal Principles continued to be upheld within the Sarawak Constitution during this period.
With regard to Sarawak’s continental shelf, historical references include the Sarawak (Alteration of Boundaries) Order in Council 1954 issued by the United Kingdom as the colonial authority.
This was later, he added, complemented by developments in international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1958 and subsequently the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.
“Sarawak’s history reflects a unique political and cultural evolution. It is therefore important that this narrative is presented accurately and respectfully. As Sarawakians, we have a responsibility to ensure that historical facts are preserved and properly understood, not only within Sarawak but across Malaysia.
“We remain committed to cooperating fully with the authorities and to upholding respectful and fact-based discourse in matters concerning our history and identity,” added Kevin, who is also SUPP Bawang Assan chairman.
