y 831 not 916?

As we both know, Malaysia was found on the date of september 16, not August 31 . However, as Malaya gained independent day at August 31, we , whether you are east malaysian or west Malaysia, both celebrate August 31 as our independence day and national day despite the fact that Malaysia was not even found on that day yet.

There may be several reason for that. First, as Malaysia political leaders, systems still concentrate on west Malaysia, the concept of Malaysia is defined based on west Malaysians point of view. Hence, it wouldn't be surprise as the west malaysian still thinking on themself that Malaysia ( not Malaya ) gained independence on August 31.

Second reason may be because of the conflicts between Malaysia and Singapore, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Lee Kuan Yew ( former singapore prime minister). When Malaysia was first found, the states include are Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak. Tunku initially want to put the founding date to be august 31, which is his birthday or his lucky number. However due to certain problem, Tunku agreed to postponed the date to September 16 as suggested by Lee Kuan Yew, without knewing the fact that September 16 was Lee's birthday. Hence, it would be rather sarcastic if we celebrate lee's birthday, which once regarded as tunku and Malay's enemy in the past 60-an to 70-an.

Third reason maybe the ruling political party, UMNO, want to maintain their dominance trough emphasizing on independence of Malaya but not founding of Malaysia. As we both know, UMNO played a major role in pushing Malaya towards the independent state. However the founding of Malaysia would not be a success without the support and effort of the GERAKAN, sabah and sarawak's political leaders. Celebrating September 16 will some how weaken the political rightness for Umno to claimed the ruling of the nation as it no longer the sole core party in pushing Malaysia towards founding.

The fact that many Malaysians do not aware that september 16 is instead our national day bring worries that our thinking still remain on pre independence Malaya . Where what we care for is based on racial but the whole Malaysian. It wouldnt be surprise if the text books history, the sultanese system, political and diplomacy system are based on West Malaysian's . Opposed the fact that sabah and sarawak should have the equal rights and power not only on the surface, but also inside the content of Malaysia.

Hence, unless we put the importance of september 16 over august 31, the concept of " Malaysia for Malaysians " is just a dream.