SIBU: Sarawakians are eagerly awaiting the Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16, as the state helped form Malaysia on that day in 1963.

       It will be a muted celebration this time around due to the Covid-19 pandemic, unlike previous years where a grand celebration would take place in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri on a rotational basis, including in Sabah.

       Despite that, people in the state are celebrating this event like no other.

       For Umie Liau, chairman of Kenyah Uma Baha Women’s Association Sibu, Malaysia Day is when the country’s forefathers from the four equal partners of Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore formed the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.

       “I dream that every Malaysian regardless of skin colour or faith is treated equally, whereby everyone enjoys the freedom guaranteed in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution,” she said in an interview.Umie: ‘Encourage meritocracy in all aspects and reject extremism.’

       Umie, who hails from Sungai Asap in Belaga, said she hoped the government would reject any element of extremism and encourage meritocracy in all aspects.

       Dudong SUPP chief Wong Ching Yong said the restoration of the state’s rights as stated in MA63 and the 18-point Sarawak Agreement was important to him and everyone else in the state.

       “While we celebrate Malaysia Day, we must fight for the restoration of our rights stipulated in MA63 and the Sarawak Agreement,” he added.

       Sibu Sacred Heart Old Students Association secretary Eddy Puah said he hoped the people could set aside all negative thinking and stay united.

       He also hoped that Malaysians would elect representatives who could help improve the lives of all the people.