Tuesday October 20, 2009
Sept 16 a day to mark unity
By YENG AI CHUN
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has declared Sept 16 as a public holiday from next year in the spirit of 1Malaysia.
“We want the joys and sorrows of the people in Sabah and Sarawak to be felt by the people in the peninsula,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Announcing this at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, he said Malaysia Day would be celebrated with events that would foster closer unity and understanding among the different races.
The Merdeka Day on Aug 31, on the other hand, would be marked with events to commemorate the historical moment and to remind Malaysians about the struggle for independence from the colonialists.
He said this in reply to a question by Putatan MP Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh, who had asked about the extent of public response to the 1Malaysia concept.
Najib said Sept 16, 1963 – the day Sabah and Sarawak became part of the nation – was a momentous time in Malaysian history.
On racial integration in Malaysia, Najib said the country had opted for the integration of its people even from the early days of the country’s birth instead of assimilating them.
“It is the best path because we portray a strength that is based on unity.
“There is no other country that is as unique as Malaysia.
“And because of that, we can say we have a country that is clearly based on an understanding among the races and we can accept other influences, which has been made into part of our culture.
“Everyone has a place under the 1Malaysia roof,” he added.
Related Story:
Malaysia Day to finally become a national holiday
Pairin: Malaysia Day can strengthen patriotism
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