UNLIKE past years, there will be no public celebrations for Malaysia Day in Sarawak this time around.

The only event of significance the state government has organised to mark the day Malaysia was formed 55 years ago is a banquet at the state legislative assembly tomorrow night, which Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud is set to attend.

Sarawak rights group Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) suggested that the low-key event this year was due to the state’s “dissatisfaction” with the Pakatan Harapan federal government for yanking the centre of the national celebration from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu.

S4S vice-president Tan Kok Chiang said in a statement that state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah had “condemned the federal government” for switching “at (the) last minute” the “916” celebrations from Sarawak to Sabah.

The number 916 refers to September 16.

Karim said at a press conference yesterday that about 550 guests were invited to the dinner.

“We have also invited leaders from the opposition, and also those from civil society groups,” he said after chairing the organising committee meeting.

He added there would be stage performances and a video presentation depicting the formation of Malaysia.

A recital of a poem depicting the struggles of the people and formation of Malaysia will also be performed.

Meanwhile, Tan has invited Karim to its own “916 Sarawak Mourning Day” flash mob event at Padang Merdeka in city centre tomorrow morning.

Tan said it would be an honour if Karim accepted their invitation.

He said while the state government was upset at being stripped of the honour of hosting the celebration, the people should be far saddened by the events of September 16.

“It is not worthy of celebration in Sarawak.”

He said this was because the formation of Malaysia had deprived Sarawak of its “resources, wealth and dignity”.

“Sarawak has been degraded and neglected. Sarawak contributed all its resources to the federation, but has not been rewarded with the same (return in) value.” – September 15, 2018.