Datuk Sebastian Ting’s Sarawak Independence Day message

suppadmin | July 21, 2018

1. Like many of you, I am looking forward on spending this weekend with my family celebrating the birth of our nation, Sarawak. The celebration is not complete without activities such as marches, parade, organized runs and road shows.

2. As much as we enjoyed the activities, it is also the time of the year that we express gratitude for our many blessings and giving tribute to the many brave nationalists that had directly or indirectly contributed to the struggle of Sarawak in achieving its Independence.

3. I would like to share part of a speech by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem or Tok Nan on the 16 October 2016 and he said. , “What would happen? 22 July, the British had given us Self-Government. Local government under Stephen Kalong Ningkan’s Cabinet and TYT Tun Abang Openg was already formed. And the next step after Self-Government was Independence. We would have gained Independence on our own.”

4. The Sarawak government under the leadership of Tok Nan decided to gazette 22 July as Sarawak Independence Day and declared a public holiday to reflect on the true meaning of being a free Sarawakian with deep commitment to equality, liberty, acceptance, self-governance, peace and harmony.

5. We recognize the challenges ahead for Sarawak especially in maintaining good relationship with the Federal government and restoring our Rights as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. It is my hope that all Sarawakians continue to preserve our peace and harmony as well as defending the independence of Sarawak including politics and its natural resources wealth.

6. Wishing all my fellow Sarawakians a safe and joyous Independence Day celebration. May God continue to bless Sarawak.