Include history of M’sia’s formation in national education system, suggests minister

Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi has suggested for the history behind the formation of Malaysia to be included in the national education system.

He said this would help the younger generation gain better understanding on how the nation came into being.

“We need to remember that Malaysia was established on Sept 16, 1963 through the merger of four regions: Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak.

“Even though in 1965, Singapore declared to separate from Malaysia, the three regions of Sarawak, Sabah and Malaya have remained together, and stayed strong until today.

“This is a lesson for us that how important it is that we can be together in one federation, which means we can continue the existing structure.

“The young generation now needs to know how Malaysia was established in 1963. And we mean historical literacy – meaning all generations would know and understand the history.

“This is because many still do not know how Malaysia was formed. What they know are the 14 states only,” he said during a press conference at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) here yesterday, which was held after the presentation of the accreditation letter from his ministry’s Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) to the Faculty of Engineering of the university.

Julaihi, also the minister-incharge of the national-level Malaysia Day celebration this year, said such subject should be included and taught under the national education system at both school and university levels.

“If for the university, I suggest that it must be a subject taken by all students who are locals and those from overseas. It must be a must-pass subject so that they know how we formed Malaysia 60 years ago; so that there would be no more confusion.

“This is so that they would know about Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.

On the national-level Malaysia Day 2023 celebration to take place in Kuching this Sept 16, Julaihi said preparations had reached the final stage.

Adding on, he said the celebrations would emphasise how Sarawakians had been living in peace, harmony and unity, despite coming from various tribes and religions.

“Sarawak is always referred to as an example (of unity) and this very much coincides with our theme for the celebration.

“So it is very appropriate that the celebration of 60 years of establishment of Malaysia is celebrated in Sarawak,” he said.