The 722 celebration to Sarawak is the equivalent of 831 Merdeka Day to the Federation of Malaya. While the nation has celebrated 831 every year since the formation of Malaysia in 1963, 722 had gone past unnoticed. Not even our state government in the past has given any recognition to 722.

We have had five chief ministers and it is only in the third year of the fifth chief minister’s tenure that 722, the Independence Day of Sarawak, was given its due recognition. That is not normal and it speaks loud and clear about how the government views the importance of this day.

We all feel proud to be Sarawakians and want the best for Sarawak.

In order to achieve that goal, it is the firm belief of DAP that the common people of Sarawak must come first. Government policies should give more protection and opportunities to the common people of Sarawak rather than merely benefiting the few privileged ones.

Sarawak, as it is now, is heading down the path of ‘the rich becoming richer and the poor poorer’. Cash and power seems to rule the day.

On this first official celebration of 722 Sarawak Independence Day, we hope to see a Sarawak where all are equal and the abundant resources of Sarawak is shared by all, not the few chosen ones. We hope to see a Sarawak that has no poverty and that all children has the opportunity and the means to tertiary education.

Lastly, I wish all a ‘Happy Sarawak Day’.

CHONG CHIENG JEN is MP for Bandar Kuching and assemblyperson for Kota Sentosa.