Sabah, Sarawak’s independence date should be Aug 15, 1945, claims academician

PETALING JAYA: The independence day of Sabah and Sarawak should be commemorated on August 15, 1945—the day Japan surrendered in the region, said Datuk Prof Jayum Jawan of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas).

According to Borneo Post Online, Jayum who serves as a professor at Unimas’ Institute of Borneo Studies, opined that both states’ independence was from the Japanese, not the British.

He shared his views in a National Day message, questioning the commonly accepted dates for Sabah and Sarawak’s independence.

“If North Borneo or Sarawak were to gain independence, it was from the Japanese and not from the British, whom both states had invited to oversee both regions after Japanese surrender in 1945,” he was quoted as saying.

He added that the actual independence date for Sabah and Sarawak should be aligned with Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, as declared by then-Japanese Emperor Hirohito.

According to him, the dates currently observed—August 31 in Sabah and July 22 in Sarawak—are more about self-governance than independence.

“Thus, August 31 that Sabah celebrates as Sabah Day and July 22 that Sarawak celebrates were not properly placed. Both dates refer to ‘self-government’.

He raised the question, “Is it self-government as in a new native government or a return to the former government before Japanese occupation?”

He emphasised that before the Japanese occupation, local governments controlled both North Borneo and Sarawak.

“Neither North Borneo nor Sarawak was ever conquered with guns and battleships prior to the Japanese occupation. North Borneo and Sarawak were invaded by the Japanese during World War II or during the Pacific War in 1941,” he pointed out.

He clarified the distinction between two key historical dates: Independence Day and National Day.

He stated that while there is no issue with Malaysians celebrating Independence Day, it is essential to understand that the occasion primarily serves to remind Malaysians, particularly those in the peninsula, of the significance of August 31, when the 11 states in Malaya gained independence from British colonial rule.

“To be precise, the peninsula states were colonised in 1824 and that was 200 years ago this year.

“National Day that falls on September 16 every year marks the day the Federation of Malaysia was officially formed by the coming together of four regions, namely Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak.

“National Day cannot, as a matter of fact, refer to August 31 but legitimately September 16, and National Day must refer and relate to Malaysia. Referring National Day to August 31 merely serves to confuse post-Malaysia generations whose history does not go back before 1963,” he said.

He also urged teachers to properly educate students on these distinctions, warning against distorting historical facts.

“Therefore, the ignorance of post-Malaysia non-Sabahans and non-Sarawakians on the issue should be addressed through revisiting the facts. A sound academic and historians would not dispute this.

“Also, teachers of history at all levels need to be re-schooled in case they forget this fact of history. It is shameful when a small bunch of teachers seeking short-term fame distorts history. By doing so, they have disgraced themselves and their profession.”

In conclusion, he said Sabahans and Sarawakians have no need to apologise for not feeling enthusiastic about August 31 celebrations.

Instead, he encouraged all Malaysians to focus on National Day and the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.

“Let’s show our true patriotism and undivided loyalty to the King and Country of the Federation of Malaysia.”

Source: https://thesun.my/local-news/sabah-sarawak-...cian-GI12928790

CUTI lagiiiiiiiiii

Yes.

Have both Independence Day and Malaysia day.

Damn a lot of pattern this S&S.

Why die dies must 31? I NEED MORE HOLIDAYS!!!!

borneo jungle in 1945 was dense and untouched.

And Sarawak Day

Just make everyday of July, august and September as independent day la

Semua cuti-cuti

If not mistaken, Indonesia too taking opportunity of the Japanese collapse in WW2 to pave their independence road, Dutch already getting crush by the Japs for years. For SS, think SS people at that time still romanticizing about the British era, they don't go extreme like what Sukarno did, opportunity when Japanese and the Dutch already crazily weak after years of WW2.

Lol like S/S won the ww2 after only 4500 imperial jap conquer them millions in 3 months

SS don't have an opportunist like Sukarno at that time, Sukarno understand the opportunity to kill two already weak bird Japs and Dutch with one risky stone. Just fight the Dutch wherever they still in power around their region, also learn as much about tactic and management from the losing colonizer Japanese after they getting nuked.

Based on his logic, we should celebrate Melaka sultanate founded date too
But we have the date?

This post has been edited by EX Unseen Forces: Aug 30 2024, 10:41 AM

Die2 want to celebrate on same month.

Independence?
SnS are now under P Msia Feds rule.
What independence?

Datuk, then what is Crown Colony of Sarawak?

YOU ARE A FCUKING COLONY AFTER JAP LEFT

This post has been edited by Blackscreamerz: Aug 30 2024, 10:55 AM

It's just a "should be" scenario. If SS and Malaya have someone like opportunist Sukarno, probably Merdeka earlier on their own. But the situation in Malaya and SS side, British and gang still wanna fight the japanese at all cost until the end, while Indonesia situation both Japanese and the Dutch already look like a one leg soldier, all they have left is ego and past glory memory, this is opportunity.

Not under MA63

Oh good someone paid attention in history class

Only because the Raja of the 100 years old kingdom of Sarawak declined to continue after the jap surrender and cede the territory to Britain.

Britain at that time already no more interested and wanted to retreat from "East of Suez". Hence lumping their colonies in SEA together into something proposed as "Malaysia".

The other fact is, while Malaya was under the British as a colony, the kingdom of Sarawak existed as a sovereign recognised country under British protection for 100 years 1841-1941, when the Japanese invaded.

If Sarawakians view the Raj as the official start of their state, then it is more appropriate to celebrate the founding date of 1841?

Then independence day will have less meaning, in fact is more like liberation day rather than independence, since we trace the same continuity of single state.

But in name or not, the colony status exists until it is disband and given back to Sarawakians.