'Both the dates deserve to be observed'

KOTA KINABALU, September 19 (daily Express) -- PBS feels Malaysia Day on Sept. 16 deserves to be celebrated on a much bigger scale than now to mark the historical birth of a new nation. Parti Bersatu Sabah said there was nothing wrong to have two national days.

Datuk Radin Malleh said the party also fully supported the suggestion of Dr Koh Tsu Koon that more recognition be given to Malaysia Day to celebrate the founding of the new Federation.

"What is more meaningful and significant than to recognise and celebrate the birth of the formation of a nation like Malaysia.

"In fact PBS President Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan had brought up the matter during the last Barisan Nasional (BN) meeting but there was no concrete decision," he said.

"Our DPM Najib Tun Razak has said that Malaysia Day which falls on Sept 16 is important and there is no harm to remember it. Such be the case then what is wrong to place more recognition by celebrating it," he asked.

For after all it is the day when Malaysia was first formed, said the Melalap MP. "If we really love Malaysia then we should appreciate and respect its formation."

Both Sabah and Sarawak had observed Sept. 16 as a public holiday although they also celebrate the official TYT's birthday the same day.

"All we need to do is to upgrade the celebration and make it more visible as a rallying point for national integration and development of patriotism," he said, adding that Malaysia Day must be promoted and celebrated widely as historical milestone and to promote national consciousness among all Malaysians.

Otherwise, Malaysia's formation is underplayed while 1957 Independence Day takes centre stage.

"This will only cause Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak to feel as if they are only appendices to the nation. This does not help to promote integration and could affect national unity in its real sense," said Radin.

"If we want to achieve Vision 2020, truly united Malaysians and a prosperous Malaysia then we should celebrate Malaysia Day so that posterity will know the history of this beloved nation of ours," he said.