Happy WhatDay

...not fifty.

I think we all need to remember that this country was created in 1963, not 1957.

No biggie there. It's ok with me. If the powers that be wants us to accept the "official" independence day on 31st of August, fine. But seriously folks, I read in the papers just the other day this certain minister, taking the American example, said since Hawaii joined or was annexed into the union of the United States late and it was ok for them to celebrate the independence day together with the rest of the 49 states on the 4th July, so therefore we should, as Sarawakians follow the same spirit.

And I'm like, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!!

But thats ok as long as we never forget that 16th September is important too. We're very different from each other, east and west. Different races. Different culture and different customs. Even have different histories. But that does not mean that we're not one country. Doesn't mean that we can't be united. Doesn't mean one is better that the other.

And so we all know 31st of August 1957 was the day that Malaya got its independence from the British Empire. Not Sarawak and Sabah. They were colonised. We were ruled, YO!!!. By a white pirate.

It is also the official date for our National Day. But this country was officially created on the 16th of September 1963 with Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak forming the new federation together with Malaya, although most casual observers and lay people probably wouldn't know that. Even my sister doesn't. Singapore left or was sort of asked to...leave in 1965 unfortunately or dare I say, fortunately. But I'll say it again like I've said so many times before. There is simply not enough mention of that eventuality into the formation.

I can safely say that many Sarawakians and Sabahans feel kind of slighted by this apparent lack of recognition. Oh, yes we have hosted the National Day celebration but having to host it is not even close to being enough.

But I sincerely think a little respect would be nice. After all, the resources of the two states help power the whole country does it not? Think petroleum, gas, and that huge dam. And what about the so called conditional and exclusive rights the two East's enjoyed when they put their John Hancock on the dotted lines? Even those is slowly being taken away. Irrelevant now, they say. Remember when the Westerners had to use their passports to enter the state?

It would be nice if a little more of Sabah and Sarawak history make it into the national education syllabus. It would be nice if we could get the lions share from our oil and other resources. We really do need it. That being said, we Sarawakians are lucky. Our politics are relatively stable and the state government, for all its shortcomings, has so far done an adequate job balancing our books.

It would also be nice if we could get more TV and media time, if only to prevent West Malaysians from thinking that Easterners still live in trees, are naive jungle dwellers and have no access to technology. I'm not being paranoid. Go ask any Sabahan or Sarawakian who has studied, lived and worked in the Peninsular and they can tell you about all the dumb questions that we keep getting from Westerners. It's not their fault really. They don't know.

This has a side effect. Part of why Sabahan and Sarawakians are so fiercely proud of their state and heritage is the very fact that we feel we are misunderstood and ignored. Our loyalty lies with our state first.

So heres to you my country. And a very Happy 44th Birthday Malaysia.