By Jayanath Appudurai
____________________________
This is how we continue to insult and alienate our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak!
The ignoramus in Malaya – politicians, pundits, editors,journalists, advertisers; including ‘ I was there at the Padang down memory lane ramblers – continue to use ‘ Happy 56th Birthday Malaysia’.
The historical fact is that the Federation of Malaysia was formed on 16th September 1963 – so it will be the 50th Malaysia Day ( National Day, Birthday call it what you will) come 16 September 2013.
Definitely NOT 56th!
The greatest insult is of course to hoist the 31 August 56th Merdeka Day on our fellow citizens in Sabah and Sarawak.
Please get it right – 31st August 1957 has no significance to our fellow citizens across the South Cina Sea!
And by the way the Federation of Malaya passed into history on midnight 15th September1963! “”
The People's Parliament 
leekh
August 30, 2013
Something is not right in Putrajaya. They can’t count!
Another Anak Bangsa Malaysia
August 31, 2013
Jayanath Appudurai,
I am a Semananjung guy and it is true that most of us know next to nuts about Sabah and Sarawak.
Even after my sister married a Bidahyu from Sarawak years and years ago, I never really knew Sarawak.
By and large, Malaysians have been kept isolated from each other in many ways.
Whilst race and religion come to mind immediately, there are more subtle ways like the simple act of NOT educating Peninsular Malaysians about their fellow Malaysians across the waters in Sabah and Sarawak.
The old tactic of divide and rule is well and truly alive where Sabah and Sarawak are concerned.
kochebin
August 31, 2013
Whatever the date is not that important for as long as everybody agrees.The thought of freedom from tyrany and oppression from colonial powers(physically)is more important.Now we are faced with the tyrany and oppression of post Merdeka where bits and pieces of colonialism is still embedded.Freedom from legitimate robbers is the hardest.
shakuntala
August 31, 2013
Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch !!!!!! Mr. Appudura,that was a real tight smack across the face. Have woken up since, many thanks.
The trouble is we have stopped thinking….we are followers of a shepherd , who appears to have no sense of direction. He is a failed shepherd.
The ball is in our court to still be able to make an about turn, ie ……change. The word matters now more than it ever did before.
What I can’t understand is….the Sabahans and the Sarawakians don’t appear to be too offended. about right and wrong.. Have we with our dominance dulled their senses. But they are still a beautiful shy people……
Looking forward to renewing my allegiances on the 16th of September as an anak bangsa Malaysia…….50 years and an half century of even now not knowing my fellow Malaysian really well..Wake up call!!!
Paul
August 31, 2013
31st Aug should have been consigned to the dustbin on 16.09.1963.
abdullah37
August 31, 2013
It is not that Putrajaya does not know how to count. The do not want the ‘Ketuanan’ factor to be diluted. To remain relevant UMNO must project the image that it was responsible for getting our independence from the British. They are not stupid but arrogant not to celebrate Malaysia Day in the same scale with Merdeka Day. Actualy Sabahans and Sarawakians have nothing whatsoever to do with 31st August 1957. They have been duped all this while to celebrate Hari Merdeka with us. Malaya got its independence from the British, NOT MALAYSIA.
Historian kampung
September 1, 2013
Read the US history. When did the US get its Independence. July 4, 1776 right? How many states where there in the Union when the US got their Independence. Only 12 States. What about the other 38 states? Other states received independence in stages, until the last two states to join the US, Alaska Jan 3, 1959, and Hawaii, Aug 21, 1959. Does anyone in the US ever dispute their Independence Day? Should it be July 4 or Aug 21? Stop promoting hatred.
Lie Cgun Man
September 3, 2013
Our Historian Kampung is a typical Confused Malayan who until today still equates Malaysia to pre-1963 Malaya. it is a fact that Sabah , Sarawak and Singapore together with Malaya formed Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Malaysia did not exist before that date in 1963. and whereas all the other American States that eventually became part of the Union did not as Historian Kampung Put it “received independence in Stages” , They were sovereign states and territories that chose to later join the USA , a nation declared independent from The British in 1776.
You see the difference here? NO? then I can’t help you.
Vincent
September 2, 2013
It was my priviledge to shake your hand today near Citibank. Onwards and upwards!
The privilege was mutual
Kenny
September 3, 2013
Dear Historian kampung,
Your analogy using the USA would be more acceptable if Malaya wasn’t renamed Malaysia wlth the incorporation of Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak.
SSS joined Malaya supposedly as equal entities to form Malaysia in 1963, thereby making Malaysia 50 this year.
On the other hand, USA’s merdeka, without a change in name, naturally would remain 1776 even after additional states were incorporated.
Btw, please don’t falsely accuse others of promoting hatred. Instead, one should ask if Malaya has been keeping its side of the bargain vis-a-vis Sabah and Sarawak since 1963.