Sarawak Independence Day: History and Significance of the Day

Sarawak Independence Day or Sarawak Day (otherwise called Hari Kemerdekaan Sarawak, Hari Sarawak) is a holiday seen on 22 July every year by the state of Sarawak in Malaysia, celebrating the establishment of self-government and true independence on 22 July 1963. while being an individual from the Malaysian Federation. This day is a marker of power and the significance of self-governance to long-oppressed individuals.

The 2022 Sarawak Day will be held at the Sibu Indoor Stadium face to face following two years of hybrid celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sarawak Independence Day 2022 Theme

The theme of ‘Thousand Hands, Thousand Hopes’ will be performed in 2022.

What is Sarawak Day?

Sarawak is situated on the northwest of the island of Borneo and turned into a British Colony in 1946 following the finish of the Second World War.

On July 22nd, 1963, Sarawak achieved self-government from the British Empire. Around the same day, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan was appointed as Sarawak Chief Minister, and the Supreme Council involving Sarawak’s first ministerial cabinet was framed.

Sarawak just stayed self-governing for under two months until September 16th, 1963, when it shaped Malaysia along with North Borneo, Singapore, and Malaya.

The holiday isn’t celebrated as Sarawak Independence as the British Governor stayed at the residence until September 15th, 1963.

Sarawak Day has been a regional public holiday beginning around 2016 when July 22nd was officially gazetted as a public holiday in the Sarawak Government Gazette following a statement from the State Administrative Unit of the Chief Minister’s Department. The main Sarawak Day celebrations were held at the Kuching Waterfront.

Sarawak’s independence day frequently sees a slew of celebrations. Parades, exhibitions, cultural performances, and considerably more begin a little while or even seven days earlier, on holiday, across venues in the State.

Sarawak Day is otherwise called Hari Kemerdekaan Sarawak. Typical celebrations incorporate parades and cultural performances at different places of worship, alongside exhibitions and art shows held at various venues across the State. Padang Merdeka is generally the primary seat of exercises during Sarawak Day, as thousands accumulate to observe the celebrations, the raising of the Sarawak flag, and pay attention to speeches by dignitaries and political leaders.

September 16th, 1963 has been celebrated with a national holiday called Malaysia Day beginning around 2010.

Interesting facts about Sarawak Day

To mark 50 years of independence from being a British Crown colony in 1963, an exceptional pantomime was hosted at the Kuching Waterfront in 2013. The theatrical performance showcased the long, arduous struggle for freedom, and depicted several historical events.

In 2019, the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (SAPA) — a non-governmental organization (NGO) giving a voice to the nearby individuals — was considered the initial time the state government to hold a tranquil rally at Padang Merdeka on Sarawak Day.

The year 2022 will mark the 6th official celebration of Sarawak Day since it was gazetted in 2016.

1963 additionally denotes the finish of 120 years of foreign rule over Sarawak and the establishment of self-government.