Sarawak4Sarawakians movement to hold parade to mark Sarawak's Independence Day on July 22

Story by James Belayong,

student activist

KUCHING, June 27, 2015 - Sarawak4Sarawakians civil movement will hold a parade on July 22 to mark Sarawak's Independence Day, its leader Peter John Jaban told reporters today.

He said it is on this day in 1963 that Sarawak gained its Independence from Britain.

"Sarawak is one of the founding partners of the Federation of Malaysia. Therefore, July 22 is an historical day and significant moment for Sarawak and its subjects," he said, adding that Sarawak was an Independence Nation before it joined Malaya, North Borneo (Sabah) and Singapore to form the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.

Peter John Jaban (right) with parade coordinator William Bong at the press conference

Peter said he has officially written a letter to Kuching district police chief ACP Roslan Beck to hold the parade.

"We want to inform the police well in advance for security reasons and to direct the traffic flow," he said.

Peter said Sarawak has nothing to do with the Merdeka Day celebration on Aug 31 as it is only for Malaya.

 "It is the day Malaya gained its Independence from the British in 1957, but in our case, we gained our Independence on July 22,1963," he said.

Peter said S4S, in collaboration with Sarawak Dayak Iban Association and other civil societies, are teaming up to organise the parade.

"We expect about 5,000 people comprising the farmers, hawkers, vegetable growers and special interest groups, to take part," he said.

He said the parade organisers have excluded politicians holding positions, either from the opposition or the Barisan Nasional, from taking part.

"We don't want them to take part since this event is non political in nature, but a mass gathering of ordinary people," he said.

Peter said the parade will start at the carpark of the Kuching City South Council building in Padungan about 9am.

It will proceed along the designated routes before reaching Padang Merdeka.