It’s time to honour 1963 pledges, say Sabahans

KOTA KINABALU: For Merdeka Day, Sabahans are looking to more inclusiveness and acknowledgement of the state’s role in the formation of Malaysia.

Writer and academician Amde Sidik called for elected leaders to honour their pledges in GE14 and acknowledge the promises made to Sabah during the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

“If you’ve made a promise, then it has to be fulfilled. Only then people will be comfortable enough to ‘Sayang Malaysia’,” he said, in reference to this year’s Merdeka theme “Sayangi Malaysiaku”.

Amde, 65, said it was also crucial for academicians and experts from Sabah and Sarawak to be included in discussions on the nation’s history, so as to cover perspectives from the two states.

Similarly, academic experts in both states also want to be active participants in these dialogues on their own accord, he said.

“It is a problem when academicians don’t participate in these discussions and leave it entirely to politicians.

“It is important for people in Malaysia to talk about integration and harmonious living. If there is no syllabus to allow for such discussion in schools and universities, then they should create one,” Amde said.

Former assemblyman Ramlee Dua said the love that Malaysians, including those in Sabah and Sarawak, have for their country was especially apparent in GE14 when many voters flew back home to cast their ballot.

Ramlee, 65, said that elected leaders, however, should not be complacent and should work towards fulfilling their promises, including fighting bigotry and racism.

“I would like to see less bigotry and racism in Malaysia. Things are not as bad in Sabah, but we are affected as well. It is very depressing. It is time for us to stand up against extremism,” said Ramlee.