I refer to the letter Malay language for Malayland by Abdul Hadi Ali

As a Sarawakian, I take great exception to such arrogant attitude. If he says Malaya is Malayland, there may be some truth in that. But by saying Malaysia, he includes the Borneo states, which by no stretch of imagination can be considered 'Malayland'.

Such comments typify the arrogance and ignorance of what makes Malaysia. Sadly, Sept 16, the exact date when Malaysia is formed, was completely ignored.

Mainstream belief that Malaysia was born on Aug 31 1957, (which is of great importance to Umno Baru as it is the basis for its legitimacy), and that the Borneo states of North Borneo (now Sabah) and Sarawak 'joined' in 1963 is not true.

Let the facts be known. Malaysia was officially born 42 years (not 48 years) ago, by the equal territories of the Malayan Federation, Singapore, North Borneo and Sarawak. After Singapore left in 1965, Malaysia continued as a federation of the three equal territories.

The relegation of the north Borneo states to mere 'states' similar to the states of Malaya, proclamations like Abdul Hadi's and a consistent lack of consideration about Sabah and Sarawak when talking about things 'Malaysian' (taken to mean Malayan) all smack of neo-colonisation to the people of the Borneo states.

Abdul Hadi should apologise to the people of Sabah and Sarawak.