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Understanding the MA63 early
Published on: Sunday, May 05, 2024
By: Datin Fazar Arif and Mazlianie ML
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The audience at the launch inside the State Library in Tg Aru.
The Federation of Malaya celebrated its independence from British rule with grand festivities on August 31, 1957, while Singapore, Sabah (formerly North Borneo), and Sarawak remained under British governance at that time.
The Borneo States, located approximately 640 km away across the South China Sea, comprised people of multi-indigenous origin with diverse cultural backgrounds and a distinct political landscape from the Federation of Malaya.
It was not until six years later that the two Borneo states, along with Singapore, reached an agreement and signed a pact with the Federation of Malaya on July 9, 1963, in London.
This pact was officially ratified on September 16, 1963, establishing the new nation of Malaysia.
In honor of the 60th anniversary of Malaysia’s formation, we decided to pay tribute by creating an illustrated and interactive children’s book that delves into the “historical milestones” of Malaysia’s formation.
The book, titled “My Country and I: Malaysia Agreement 63,” narrates the story of the formation through the execution of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 involving the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, and the two Borneo States, Sabah, and Sarawak.
The book was originally launched in Petaling Jaya on September 16, 2023. Additionally, a launch event was held in Kota Kinabalu in conjunction with Sabah’s first Children’s Literature Festival at the Sabah State Library in Tg Aru on April 20, 2024.
This event was co-organised by the Sabah State Library, Sabah Law Society, and Rainbow House of Picture Books, and it was graced by Guest of Honour, Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr. Shad Saleem Faruqi, a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Malaya.
The successful book launch was attended by esteemed individuals such as Sabah State Library Director Puan Hajah Fatimah Abdilllah, Sabah Law Society President, Mohammad Nazim Datuk Maduarin, Madam Ng Mei Mei from Rainbow House of Picture Books, the U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires, Manu Bhalla.
Shad with the authors.
The Public Lecture Talk titled “Reviving the foundations of Malaysia: The MA63, The Federal Constitution, and the evolving landscape of the Basic Structure Doctrine” was moderated by Datuk Roger Chin, the Immediate Past President of the Sabah Law Society.
The book launch commenced with the unveiling of the mockup book, followed by speeches and a reading session by six talented children, including Muhammad Raees Mega Bin Mohd Ridzuan (7 years old), Nee Siew Ting (12 years), Muhammad Aryan Firdaus Bin Mohd Nazrie (12 years), Hannah Grace (9 years), Nur Qisya Afrina Binti Erwan (12 years), and Kang Siwon (11 years).
In addition, the authors presented copies of the book to Sabah State Library Director, Puan Hajah Fatimah Abdillah.
In our speech, we emphasised the vital importance of sparking children’s interest in delving into fundamental knowledge, including the origins of laws, rules, and regulations.
Young enthusiasts at the book launch: Sabah’s future hopes.
Through this engagement, children can receive the valuable gift of instilling key values such as patriotism, identity, embracing diversity, and fostering harmony within the rich tapestry of Malaysia.
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One enthusiastic young attendee at the book launch, Bowen Liam Kah Wen, who was accompanied by his grandparents, displayed remarkable historical acumen at the age of 8. Bowen, a Primary 2 student at SJK(C) Shan Tao in Kota Kinabalu, eagerly shared his excitement about the book.
He mentioned that Malaysia was formed on September 16, 1963. Since acquiring the book at the launch, Bowen has been rereading and discussing it extensively with his friends. Bowen expressed his anticipation for the next book with a confident demeanor.
After the launch, the Public Lecture led by Shad was articulately moderated Roger.
Guests engaged in a constructive Q&A segment where Desmond Liew, a 24-year-old currently in chambers at a local law firm, holding a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Leeds, UK, posed insightful questions to Shad.
Desmond, a firm believer in the impact of “My Country and I”, emphasised that every Malaysian should read the book. Recognising the book’s focus on children, Desmond praised its ability to convey fundamental historical information effectively.
He emphasised the book’s clarity in narrating Malaysia’s formation and the commendable effort to educate the next generation on Sabah’s rights. Desmond voiced his belief that the book should be accessible to every Malaysian child, not limited to those in Sabah and Sarawak.
He stressed the necessity for all West Malaysians to comprehend the significant narrative of their country’s origin, advocating for greater awareness and understanding among all citizens.
In February, Ivy Lim, a 60-year-old originally from Papar, was deeply moved after reading “My Country and I.” Being the same age as the nation, she was astonished to discover a part of Malaysian history previously unknown to her.
The book served as a significant revelation and eye-opener for her.
Studying the authentic history of our country allows us to comprehend how past events have influenced our present circumstances.
By delving into the past, individuals can acquire valuable insights into our origins and learn from historical mistakes, thereby helping pave the way for enhanced societal development.
Shad underscored that the book, presented in simple language, serves as a timely reminder that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 resulted from a spirit of moderation and negotiation.
He highlighted the importance of continuing this spirit to ensure the endurance and strengthening of the nation.
The Organising Chairman of the book launch, Lim Hock Song, who is also the director of the heartwarming documentary “Kita,” successfully orchestrated a gathering of co-organisers and guests for the launch.
The occasion epitomised the spirit and aspirations of the nation’s founding leaders, making the event a resounding success and deeply impactful.
In his speech, Shad elaborated on the concept of unity, emphasizing that unity does not necessitate uniformity.
He highlighted the significance of unity in diversity within a multicultural nation, drawing parallels to the mosaic-like structure of the nation established in 1963, rather than a melting pot.
This mosaic ideology recognised and celebrated differences in race, religion, and region, emphasizing that these diversities should not impede loyalty to the larger nation.
Furthermore, Shad expressed optimism about the future of Malaysia, acknowledging the inherent tensions within federal systems worldwide and the need for constitutional literacy.
He noted positive developments since the 14th general election in 2018, where the Federal Government has recognised the constitutionality and reasonableness of many demands from Sabah and Sarawak, signalling the need for immediate policy changes.
He expressed hope for the growth of constitutional patriotism and congratulated the authors for their dedication and faith.
Shad hoped that the authors’ optimism would be justified and that Malaysia would progress economically, in the quality of justice, and as a global model for embracing diversity harmoniously, with mutual respect and peace.
Reflecting on the stories of Ivy at 60, the aspiring 24-year-old lawyer Desmond, and the curious 8-year-old Bowen, it becomes apparent that there is a pressing need for increased awareness.
The enthusiasm to educate others on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 underscores the importance of understanding how the nation, with the two distinct states and diverse populace, came together with the Federation of Malaya initially.
This journey towards a stronger nation can only be fully realised if a majority, if not all, are informed about the history behind this unity and diversity, embracing it to grow stronger together.
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
- If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
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