Why argue on 49 or 55?

There are many arguments and many people are making comments on the Malaysia Merdeka and Malaysia day whether it is 49 or 55 anniversary.

The people seem to be very confused over the issue and some even quoted that Malaysia is 55 years old. It is time to put a stop in all this confusion and the government is not doing anything thing positively to set the matter at rest. The government is taking more emphasis on the Merdaka day rather than on the Malaysia Day. The East and West Malaysia are both having different year in gaining independence from the British rule. For the Peninsular Malaya, it was on the 31st of August 1957, and after that the Federation of Malaya was formed. For Sabah and Sarawak, it was on the 31st of August 1963, the two states gained independence from the British rule. Therefore there is two separate independence day, one for East and one for the West. Now who is right and who is wrong on the 49 or 55? The fact is, the Sabahan and Sarawakian are not happy that the government has adopt to use officially the 55 Merdaka Day. What happened to the 49 Merdaka Day for the East Malaysia? Why suddenly we are 6 more years older on the years of independence?

Many people had brought their grievances concerning this issue, and they shared the equal confusion. Some even said that this is disrespect as far as the East Malaysian is concerned. They want the matter to be streamlined and stop the confusion being passed on to the younger generation. This is a very negative dealing as far as the government is concerned, and they can't resolve the matter amicably.

I suggest in order setting the record straight, it will be worth while to drop the 49 or 55 Merdaka Day which is confusing and dividing among the people. Some people even put up big board to make the protest, and some writing news releases and put in the Sunday forum to express their views.

The national celebration should be focused on the formation of Malaysia on 16th of September every year which is declared as a public holiday nation wide. The National Day for Malaysia is an important day for all Malaysian and there is no difference between East and West because Malaysia was formed on the same day across the South China Sea. Therefore why don't we stopped all the argument and adopt to celebrate Malaysia Day on a national level. The individual Mederka Day can be celebrated separately if deem necessary, and no need to be on a national level. This is a win-win solution and it also serve to save a great deal of public fund on these celebrations. At the moment, the country is celebrating National Day and Merdeka Day on different dates, two times of celebration is costing the country lot of money.

It will be good to decide once for all, because this is a good and acceptable idea. That is 49 for Malaysia Day, 49 or 55 Merdaka Day for the East and West Malaysia respectively.

Dr Hiew King Cheu MP for Kota Kinabalu