Did You Know That 22 July Is Sarawak Independence Day?
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This might not be known by those living in the Peninsular, but Sarawak has its own independence day.
It was declared by the state government in 2016 that 22 July is Sarawak’s Independence Day as cited in the Sarawak Government Gazette.
For this year, the Sarawak Day celebration will be held virtually and broadcast live via various social media platforms from Miri on 22 July due to Covid-19.
Why is the date significant?
Sarawak’s Former Chief Minister, the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared the date as a public holiday to commemorate Sarawak’s independence from British colonisation.
Sarawak Independence Day or Sarawak Day was also made to recognise and acknowledge the sacrifice and contributions of Sarawakians who fought for the state’s independence from the British.
According to NST, 22 July 1963 was the last day that Sir Alexander Waddell served as the British colonial governor after which he was replaced by Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan who was appointed the first Chief Minister.
This was months before Sarawak entered into the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) on 16 September, which formed the Federation of Malaysia with Sabah, Malaya and Singapore.
There has been disputes over the actual date
Prof Michael Leigh, a researcher who has been active in Sarawak since 1962, disagreed that 22 July is the state’s Independence Day as he said that the date was the day when the Sarawak cabinet or the alliance cabinet was formed.
“Sarawak was given self-government on Aug 31 (1963), and had self-government until Sept 16 (1963). That was on the basis that the British Governor agreed to accept the advice of Sarawak state cabinet, which was formed in July (1963).
Former Director of the Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Prof Michael Leigh via Borneo Post
However, he said, the British Governor had full authority up until Sept 16 1963 when Sarawak, along with Sabah and Singapore joined Malaya to create Malaysia.
From Aug 31 to Sept 16 (1963), he (the British Governor) said he would abide by the decision of the Sarawak state cabinet.
Former Director of the Institute of Asian Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Prof Michael Leigh via Borneo Post
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