Flying the Jalur Gemilang to September 16

Lest we forget, there are 2 key dates when it comes to flying Jalur Gemilang. One is August 31, when people of the 11 states in Semenanjung obtained Merdeka. The other is September 16, when Sabah and Sarawak joined the enlarged Malaysian federation.

I am told that Sarawak PKR Chief, Dominique Ng, has marked September 16, for several years now, by hoisting Jalur Gemilang at the Central Padang in Kuching. While some may see this gesture as being Quixotic, I, for one, do not.

In his recent column in Malaysiakini, Sim Kwang Yang wrote:

Sarawakians and Sabahans will grumble about the injustice of the Malay nationalist grand narrative to no end. Once again, they will remind the world about the historical fact that Malaysia came into being on 16 September 1963, and not 31 August 1957. But these are the marginal voices out there, on the other side of a vast expanse of sea water, seldom heard in Kuala Lumpur, and so hardly deserve serious attention. The official history book cannot be wrong, or at least that is what many Malaysians think.

This year though, the voices of discontent from the East may have to be taken seriously. Sabah MPs from the ruling coalition have been making rebellious noises in Parliament. Some are eloquent in ways only Sabahan and Sarawakian MPs are capable of.

What is the use of living in a big house, they asked, if you are denigrated to a small corner near the stinking toilet? Would it not be better if you move into the master bedroom in a smaller house? Needless to say, I share their sentiment entirely.

This is a valid view. But, beyond the historical truism about September 16, having a legitimate claim to being as significant, if not more, than August 31, there is in 2008 a potentially greater significance to the September 16 date. But this significant other will be something all Malaysians will have to wait to unfold.

For now, I wish to express the hope that ALL Malaysians will hoist and fly the Jalur Gemilang for the entire duration between August 31 and September 16.

Not just because Dominique Ng will have his traditional flag-raising in the Central Padang, Kuching; not just because Sim Kwang Yang has wistfully reminded us of its significance (which are quite sensible reasons, I grant you), but, for its significance in the birth of Malaysia (not Malaya).

But, if you want to add to the mix of rationale, some overt show of support for Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Rakyat's political designs, then, so be it!