AUG 11 — I agree with Professor Dr Phar Kim Beng.

As Malaysia prepares to celebrate August 31 and September 16, perhaps the most important political lesson for all is this: Merdeka was achieved through negotiation, Malaysia was created through negotiation, and Malaysia’s future will also have to be negotiated.

Melaka would be a good place to remember it. 

And remember that, as I wrote in “Let’s be one united, independent Malaysians”, Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day were intended to be celebrated on August 31.

Read Article II of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, better known as MA63:

“The Government of the Federation of Malaya will take such steps as may be appropriate and available to them to secure the enactment by the Parliament of the Federation of Malaya of an Act in the form set out in Annex A to this Agreement and that it is brought into operation on 31st August 1963  (and the date on which the said Act is brought into operation is hereinafter referred to as ‘Malaysia Day’).” (Emphasis added)

If not for a subsequent agreement between the parties to MA63 which was signed in Singapore on August 28, 1963 that amended the MA63 by substituting the date ‘16th September’ for the date ‘31st August’, Malaysians would have celebrated Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day on the same day — that is, August 31.

It was intended that we celebrate August 31 as one united, independent Malaysians.

When Malaysians in the peninsula shout “Merdeka” on August 31, Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak were intended to chant in unison.

So, as both dates approach, let’s remember that we are all Malaysians.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.