BY NUR FARIHAN RAZALI
MUKAH: July 22 is Sarawak Independence Day, a day that should be remembered by all and be placed in the school history textbooks for Sarawakians and Malaysians to learn.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Welbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said that the date is rare in history unlike August 31 and September 16.
“Besides that, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is also missing from the learning syllabus in schools.
“Therefore, we jointly suggest to the federal government, especially the Ministry of Education (MoE) to review the content of textbooks that tells the history of Malaysia regarding important dates for children to remember,” she said.
Fatimah said this at the Sarawak Kembara Merdeka event in conjunction with the Sarawak’s 60 Years of Independence at Dewan Suarah Mesra here, today.
Other than that, she added that there are many efforts carried out by the government to ensure that children get an education.
“The government really focuses on education because it is a basic need for them, including people with disabilities (OKU).
“Without education, of course it is difficult for us to become who we are today because it changes our socioeconomic fate and status,” she said.
She praised the efforts of the organising committee here for holding the Digital Exhibition and having a schedule and layout for certain groups to see it.
“The exhibition is to share with the people and show the development that has been, is being and will be implemented throughout Sarawak.
“The intention of the tour and the exhibition is to remind Sarawakians about the history and progress that have been achieved and implemented by the state government in an integrated and holistic manner.
“This is a golden opportunity for us to find out what is happening in our state and hope that the people will have a strong sense of love for Sarawak after seeing the changes from the past to the present,” she explained.
Apart from the exhibition there is also Mukah Kitchen programme which provides opportunities for women, entrepreneurs and small traders to earn income.
Fatimah said her ministry empowers women through business so the state government gives them grants to venture into business as start-up capital and so on.
“It is a significant difference that can be seen, where women are also able to walk together with men and gender is no longer an issue,” she said.
The Dalat assemblywoman also reminded people to continue to be united, to keep the peace and prevent bad elements that could disrupt the communities.
“We are a model of unity, peace and prosperity. So, with that, we are able to achieve the status of advanced and prosperous Sarawak in 2030.
“Let us together ensure that Sarawak continues to progress and prosper and in 2030 become the highest income state,” he added.
Fatimah also expressed her appreciation to the participants who were involved in the tour and had the opportunity to see the development of the state, experience the customs, traditions and culture of the community in an area.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Economy and Mukah Member of Parliament Datuk Hanifah Taib, Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine and Mukah Division Resident Kueh Lei Poh.
