Malaysian Day
Source: Mansor Puteh; The Malaysian Insider[updated: 17092008 / 00:16] 16 September 1963 was a significance day for Malaysian history. It was the day, the Malaysia was declared officially by the then prime minister The Late Tunku Abdul Rahman. Malaysia was formed with the inclusion of Malaya (now Semenanjung Malaysia), Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Although initially Brunei has show it's interest to join the new nation unfortunately later they withdrew after Tunku's government reject the royal's request for special privilege accorded to the royal family one degree above the Malayan Sultanate. The second reason for the withdrew was internal revolt from people of Brunei.
The idea to form Malaysia did not go down well with the neighbours. Indonesia and Phillipines send their diplomatic notes to protest the Malaysia concept. Indonesia has different idea on forming Indonesia-Raya including Singapore, Malaya and Sarawak while Phillipines claim, Sabah belongs to them. After the referendum, the majority of Sabahan and Sarawakian thumbs up for Malaysia and Tunku decided to proceed. Both state was under colonial administration until they join Malaysia. Indonesia later sent their army to destroy the Malaysia under "Ganyang Malaysia" tag. Phillipines did plan to create chaos in Sabah.
Lee Kuan Yew believe, only way to gain the independence and to dismantle the rise of communist ideology in Singapore was by saying "yes" to the formation of Malaysia unfortunately after two years in 1965, Tunku took a drastic action to terminate Singapore membership unilaterally.
Malaysian administrator manage to overcome all the obstacles and today after 45 years Malaysians stand tall with other nations and proud to call our self as Malaysians. Although we managed to walk together for past 45 years yet we are not as united as we proclaimed. The distance between East and West Malaysia was one of the major reason on the unity gap between the residence of two continent. I do believe, we need to include the "MALAYSIAN DAY" as one of the important date for the future celebrations. We have walk together for a long period and the future generations must know the history on the formation of Malaysia. If we fail to celebrate then the sense that we belongs to Malaysia might not be as strong as it was. A celebration will boost the sense "I belongs to Malaysia" not only for West Malaysian but definitely will change the perception on Malaysian concept for the East Malaysian residence.
Comments
I agree with you but deep in me theres is this question of why Peninsular Malaysian only allowed to be in the East Malaysia for limited time. Until we got our MyKad we were using our passports to enter the East Malaysia. Once I traveled to the East Malaysia with my colleague,an American and he was surprised to see that I have to get my Passport Stamped. So I Believe all this should be changed. to strengthen the unity among us Malaysia would be much more stronger.
Regarding your queries on the need to use Passport and now MyKad to enter Sabah/Sarawak - The State Administration was empowered with imigresen law and this was part of the "20 Point" privelege given to Sabah and Sarawak as an attraction to join "Malaysia". Even though Federal Government was empowered to look after the imigresen but in our system, Sabah/Sarawak has more powers and it's all depends on Chief Minister to black list any one from Peninsular but the federal government has no power to stop any one from Sabah/Sarawak from entering peninsular.
Recently 2 YB from PR was blacklisted from entering Sarawak and it's totally State authority. Malaysia need the "political will" to remove this 20 Point which jeopardising the citizens rights for free movement within Malaysia which I don't forsee at any near time.