Why should we stand for Negaraku, ask Sarawak activists
Negaraku was “Malaya’s” anthem and not the anthem of the federation.
(FMT) – Vocal pressure group Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) today explained a video clip of its members refusing to stand for the national anthem at a fundraising event last week, saying it was a silent protest to show their dissatisfaction over unfulfilled promises to the state.
S4S member Shaow Tung Leong, also known as Alex Leong, who shared the clip on Facebook, said “Malaya” had been “very unfair” to Sarawak and Sarawakians.
“So we refused to stand up when Negaraku was played,” he told FMT when contacted.
The 22-second video had received more than 6,000 comments and 4,000 shares as of press time.
It was also shared on the account of a group calling itself “Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia – Pakatan Harapan” which described S4S as “future fanatic extremists” and claimed the group’s objective was to leave the federation of Malaysia.
However, Leong said Sarawak’s oil and gas resources had been exploited for the past 56 years.
“In fact, a few days ago, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the federal government was unable to fulfil its promise to raise the oil royalty to 20% for Sabah and Sarawak, as stated in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto.
“So why should we stand up when the national anthem is played?”
He also said Negaraku was “Malaya’s” anthem and not the anthem of the federation.
“Sarawak only joined Malaysia in 1963,” he said. “We are only an equal partner.
“They should create a new song for the federation of Malaysia. Why are they still singing Negaraku?”
S4S spokesman Peter John Jaban agreed, saying Negaraku is “not our anthem”.
In fact, he said, Negaraku was copied from the song Mamula Moon by 1940s band Felix Mendelssohn’s Hawaiian Serenaders.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Bukit Aman CID prosecution and legal division principal assistant director Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said action could be taken against those who disrespect the national anthem.
He said this would be considered an offence under the National Anthem Act 1968.
