The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines history as “a chronological record of significant events” and “events of the past”.
Recording history accurately for future generations is important because it helps us understand what was done in the past and why it was done.
History also permits us to learn from the mistakes made in the past so that we do not repeat them. It also allows us to learn from things done well so as to make the world a better place.
A narrative of Sarawak’s rich, beautiful and diverse historical background is worthy of being recorded well and should be continuously updated in a systematic and accurate manner. Keeping an accurate record of our history can help to determine our future.
Voices from all corners of Sarawak have over the years been pleading with the Federal Ministry of Education for years to update Malaysian history books with an accurate and comprehensive history of Sarawak and with specific reference to the formation of Malaysia. However, as can be seen till now nothing has been done.
Instead, the current Minister of Education has gone off the track and is more concerned with the colour of socks and shoes not to mention 1MDB matters for inclusion in our history books. This behaviour and past neglect show Putrajaya does not prioritise Sarawak and its people.
Being subservient to Malaya for 55 years seems to have made us procrastinate and perhaps meek and mute in many aspects, including the practice of self-censorship so as not to offend Putrajaya.
It’s about time, we as Sarawakians need to come out of our shell and “blow our horn”.
We can start with a series of quickly compiled booklets on Sarawak for our younger generation and build up towards a proper comprehensive and authoritative book on Sarawak.
There is already sufficient material available to launch this initiative in stages.
A properly constituted editorial body with experts, academics and representatives from all communities can help to oversee such a project which would include books and booklets.
An eventual finalised book version inclusive of the Paleolithic period, first foragers of Niah Caves, Bruneian era, Brooke dynasty, Japanese Occupation, British crown colony, self-government and the formation of the Federation of Malaysia should be published.
Very importantly, a record of all its people, their ethnic origins and lives of this nation of approximately 2.5 million people must be documented. We have more than 40 sub-ethnic groups and races, each with its own wonderful distinct language, culture and lifestyle.
We must also not of course forget to include the erosion of Sarawak’s rights and privileges in violation of the Cobbold Commission report and recommendation, Malaysia Agreement and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and recommendations.
The late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem seems to have triggered a desire among Sarawakians for more information on Sarawak and its role in the formation of Malaysia.
In July of 2016, he pointed out that many didn’t even know there is such a thing as the Inter-Governmental Committee, Cobbold Commission and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
In terms of history, we can now see the effect of complacency by not keeping proper historical records. Trips had to be made to the United Kingdom to discover subsidiary documents related to the Cobbold Commission, IGC Report and Malaysia Agreement 1963.
There should be no repeat of this lackadaisical attitude. We need to chronicle it all for posterity in the interest of our current and future generations.
A proper history of Sarawak will give our present and future generations the necessary knowledge to protect and promote Sarawak.
A summarised version of the Formation of Malaysia booklets should be disseminated free of charge to all Sarawakians and even in Malaya to educate them about the obligations of the federal government and about the rights which have been snatched away from Sarawak and Sabah.
An official website can also be set up to have e-books available on Sarawak. This would fit in nicely with our drive towards a digital era.
It is indeed heartening to see that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has continued with a policy of self-determination of Sarawak’s destiny. All this needs to be captured in a book and not in bits and pieces.
He highlighted in the text of his speech last year at the opening of the International Conference on Borneo Book Publishing and Borneo Book Fair that “Sarawak or Malaysia in general is way behind America, United Kingdom and China in terms of number and type of books published per country per year as it is an important index of standard of living and education.”
He felt that based on population, we should be publishing around 30 to 40 thousand titles but based on statistics, we have not reached 20,000 titles.
We should therefore have a comprehensive and authoritative book on the history of Sarawak that will put Sarawak on a footing leading to equivalency in the future to “The Sarawak Civilisation”.
Without recording our history soon or leaving it in the hands of Malayans we risk casting ourselves to the scrap heap of history relegated to a mere footnote in the Malaysian history books. So Sarawakians, it’s time to wake up, get writing and get published or be a footnote!
