MIRI: The Federal Cabinet that is to be formed soon has been urged to make it a top priority to amend the history books used in school so that they clearly reflect the fact that Sarawak and Sabah had again been pivotal in helping Barisan Nasional return to power at the federal level.
Rurum Kelabit Association chairman for Miri Division, Dick Bala, in suggesting this yesterday, said that it must be clearly printed that Sarawak and Sabah had during the 12th and 13th General Elections were the two states that had provided Barisan at the national level with the critical seats to form the Federal Government.
Yesterday, he told The Star that the Orang Ulu felt that this fact had not been full known and appreciated by the people in the peninsula because they had not been made aware of it, even though it had been the reality after two consecutive general elections.
“The current history books have not given enough due credit to Sarawak and Sabah for their enormous roles in national deve-lopment and this had not been corrected.
“Until today, the history books used by our students contain very little mention about Sarawak and Sabah. It is high time that the Federal Cabinet correct this.
“In the just-concluded 13th general election, Barisan could not have regained power at the national level had it not been for the crucial seats delivered by Sarawak and Sabah.
“This must be included as a chapter in the history books so that students are aware of how much the east Malaysian states had contributed to national development.
“These latest facts must be also included as a topic in general studies and in other forums of discussions in school and universities,” he said in an interview.
Bala, who graduated from a peninsula-based university several years ago, said that even during his days in school and university, topics about Sarawak and Sabah were not emphasised.
He questioned why it had taken so long for the Ministry of Education to correct this lacking.
Bala urged all the Sarawakian MPs who had been elected to fight for this cause.
Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is a former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, when asked for his comments on Bala’s suggestions yesterday said it was indeed true that Sarawak and Sabah had been at the forefront of helping Barisan form the Federal Government.
“To amend the history book to include these facts is not a simple process. There are various procedures that must be followed.
“Of course, this is something we must continue to fight for. However, as it is right now, we are still not sure what the roles that Sarawakian MPs and Sabahan MPs will be in the Federal Cabinet.
“If Sarawakian and Sabahan MPs hold key posts in the Federal Cabinet, we may be able to have a greater say,” he said.
Junaidi, who is Santubong MP and a supreme council member of PBB, said he was not sure when the Dewan Rakyat would convene its first sitting of its new term as no notice had been served to the MPs yet.
There is also no clue as to when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak will form his new Cabinet.
By STEPHEN THEN
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