It’s difficult to be somewhere far from home on Sept 16, the date when Malaysia was formed in 1963 together by Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore. Even though everyone knows that it is a public holiday to celebrate independence, do they respect and understand what Malaysia day means to this country? The truth is, I fear most people living in West Malaysia hardly understand the purpose of this Remembrance Day.

The main confusion that people normally have is that Malaysia became independent on the Aug 31, 1957. The reality is deeper than that. Malaysia didn’t even exist in 1957. However, Malaya existed as an entity when Tunku Abdul Rahman hailed Merdeka seven times in front of stadium audiences. Aug 31 was supposed to be Malaya’s Independence Day and their independence day alone.

Some may say it is unusual for a country to effectively have two Independence Days but only Sept 16 was the day Malaya truly became Malaysia and rallied for the nation’s unity, a place we finally call home.

As it was said by YB Dr James Jemut Masing, before Sept 16, there was no Malaysia. Let everyone remember that. It’s on Sept 16 that the four independent countries, namely Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo, agreed to form Malaysia. And as everyone also knows, Singapore pulled out in 1965.

This conveniently ignore the years of the anti-cession movement in Sarawak. Nationalists were jailed in Singapore for rising against the British. Anthony Brooke was barred from entering Sarawak by the British when he entertained the idea of giving governance to the natives. Rosli Dhobi’s action of assassinating Sir Duncan Stewart has been watered down by not acknowledging the dates when Sabah & Sarawak were independent.

In other words, all these historical events in gaining self-governance became not as important as the freedom fighters of Malaya.

I’m not saying that the people of West Malaysia don’t understand this, it’s history after all, but do they really feel the importance of this particular day in forming Malaysia as a developed country that we and our future generation will be living in.

Malaysia Day was supposed to be a day of unity and harmony but honestly all I’ve seen is misunderstanding and pain, and this is heartbreaking because we as Malaysians should be introducing and planting the love of being a country which claims to be 1Malaysia, no racism, no hatred, full respect toward each individuals differences in the hearts of our Malaysian younger generation.

Is this really the picture we are painting for them to view Malaysia as ‘divide and conquer’?

As a Sabahan, I came to West Malaysia to acquaint myself with my fellow Malaysians, their culture, religions and lifestyle, but somehow I find it is only one-sided. The people in West Malaysia don’t even know the treasure they hold as Sept 16 is celebrated, and which gives us the uniqueness of cultural diversity that Malaysia is known for.

Being 1Malaysia, the West Malaysians should try to understand the people of Sarawak Bidayuh, Iban, Chinese, Malay, Melanau, and Orang Ulu. Several minor ethnic groups include Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis, Murut, and Indians and Sabahans.

The true image that should be planted in the heads of young Malaysians as unity was formed with the signing of the Malaysian Agreement of 1963. It may not be as idealistic as the shouts of Merdeka, but it is the only true moment when Malaysia is united as a free democratic country. In fact, it is unfortunate that the date was only recognised in 2010.