Promoting National Day as 60th anniversary of M’sia’s independence unfair to Sarawak — DAP

KUCHING: Broadcasting stations should stop promoting the coming National Day on August 31 as the 60th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence.

Pending assemblywoman Violet Ng said such move is misleading to the public and a distortion of historical facts because Malaysia was only formed 54 years ago on 16 September 1963.

“It is in fact Malaya which achieved independence 60 years ago on August 31, 1957. By promoting this year’s August 31 as 60th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence, it is unfair and disrespectful to Sarawak and Sabah,” she told reporters here yesterday.

She pointed out that one private broadcasting company, in particular, is producing and airing special programmes to commemorate Malaysia was ‘born’ 60 years ago despite historical facts stating otherwise.

The lawmaker from DAP said she will be personally writing to that private broadcasting company to explain the situation and possibly stop the airing of such programmes.

She believed the blame for the ignorance of many Malaysians over the real anniversary of the country can be put on the education syllabus under the current government which did not publish certain historical facts in the history books.

“This is not respectful to Sarawak and not respecting our state as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia,” she said. SIBU: Indiscriminate throwing of cigarette butts formed the bulk of compound notices issued for littering along Channel Road here, which houses Sibu Central Market.

This was disclosed by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairwoman Rogayah Jamain yesterday, who added that most of the offenders were visitors to the town.

However, she revealed that in other areas of the town, the compounds were issued mainly to locals.

“I have been told by these visitors that they were not aware of SMC’s anti-littering campaign. Locals, however, were aware of the campaign.

“Thus far, I am satisfied with the campaign, which started in July this year. Well, of course, there are certain areas that the enforcement needs to focus on,” Rogayah told thesundaypost.