To those in the peninsula, Sarawak Day may seem a little foreign – given that it was only declared a public holiday in the state four years ago.
But for three Sarawakians based in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak Day has huge significance as it is not just a day they became independent from British rule (before the formation of Malaysia) but a day when they took charge of their future.
Sisters Veena and Elena Endella, who are based in Kuala Lumpur, are sad they can’t go back to Kuching to celebrate Sarawak Day with their family. In May, they also missed Gawai celebrations in their hometown due to the Movement Control Order.
“Sarawak Day represents our identity as Sarawakians. It symbolises the unity we have despite the diverse cultures and religions,” said Veena, the elder of the two.
“It is not only the day we became independent from British rule but also the day we finally took charge of our fates and to have self-rule,” she said.
Veena, 31, a quantity surveyor, and Elena, 27, an associate in a private firm, moved to Kuala Lumpur to attend college and started working here.
The duo said the one thing they miss most about Sarawak Day is spending time with their family members, food and ngabang (the custom of visiting friends and family during special occasions).
Actor Rashid Salleh, who is also from Kuching, said although he was away from his family, he is glad to be spending the day with some close friends.
“I am serving my friends Sarawak laksa for dinner today. Although it is a popular dish in my home, it is extra special today because it is being served on a special day,” said Rashid who lives in Selangor.
“Sarawak is the classic example of how Malaysia should be looked at from the outside. We have families of different races and religions living together and we greatly respect each other’s religions,” he said.
Rashid, the son of former deputy education minister and PBB vice-president Datuk Salleh Jafaruddin, shared that his father who was born in 1942 had a rather unique citizenship through the years.
“My father grew up as a British citizen prior to 1963, and then as a Sarawak citizen for three months before becoming a Malaysian citizen. This is something only those in their 70s and 80s are able to relate,” he said.
Here’s the round-up of The News Normal today.
GOVT TO GAZETTE WEARING OF MASKS IN PUBLIC PLACES
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the government will be gazetting an order to make wearing of face masks compulsory in public places to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there were 16 new Covid-19 cases today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 8,831.
Worldwide, the number of cases surged to over 15 million with the US recording over four million cases.
GUAN ENG SUMMONED BY MACC
Former Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng was called in by the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) to assist in the investigation over the controversial RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.
Lim, who served as Penang Chief Minister between 2008 and 2018, arrived at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya at 1.05pm. He was accompanied by Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Jelutong MP R.S.N, Rayer.
MP URGES SPEAKER TO AMEND STANDING ORDERS
Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto has proposed an amendment to the Parliament Standing Orders to prevent MPs from repeating “unparliamentary” words. The proposed amendments were sent to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun this morning. This comes after racist and sexist remarks were uttered in the Dewan Rakyat on July 13.
The two amendments to Standing Order 36 with two additional matters read:
36 (13) – That an MP who utters sexist, racist or any remark that could hurt the feelings to the point of causing contempt or hatred toward any MP or a group of Malaysian society, and violated clause (4) and/or clause (10) of this Standing Order, will automatically be referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee for further investigation.
36 (14) – That an MP who is found to have violated clause (4) and/or clause (10) with the intention or knowledge over the investigation being done under clause (13) by the Rights and Privileges Committee will be fined no less than RM500, as a punishment for violating subsection 9(c) of the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952.
YOUTUBE SENSATION REMANDED OVER ALLEGED ABUSE
The Ipoh Magistrate’s Court issued a three-day remand order to a 29-year-old man over the alleged abuse of his 28-year-old wife.
The remand order was granted to enable the police to facilitate investigations under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapon Act 1958.
The incident involving the YouTube couple is believed to have occurred at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital on Tuesday when the wife was visiting a relative. The husband, who was drunk, got into an argument with her and had also brought a sickle to the hospital.
FIND A GOAL, STAY IN SHAPE
Actor, model and martial artist Peter Davis says having a final goal will help ensure those who want to stay in shape will not quit exercising and eating right midway through their journey.
