The foundational history of nation-state formation and unification

KUCHING, Oct. 1: History becomes an important foundation for understanding the formation of a nation, as well as building identity and unity among humankind.

The State Elder of Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that understanding history is important to allow society to know the story and journey of formation of a nation, state and country.

"History is very close to our daily lives. Through history we can identify who we are as a society, a nation, a state and a nation.

"History should not cease to be mere memories and stories of the past. History is the civilized science of a nation that must be studied through responsible research and interpretation methods", he said at the 2026 MSN in Wisma Melayu Sarawak.

Thus, Tun Wan Junaidi emphasized the importance of society, especially younger generations to undergo history through resource research and responsible study so that understanding about the identity and journey of a nation does not depend on one interpretation alone.

According to him, Western, European and Orientalist writings including records relating to Brooke's reign should be critically examined and not accepted as a single picture of Sarawak history.

He emphasized that it is particularly important in understanding the history of Sarawak which has its own journey in shaping the identity of society and country.

"Do we want this generation and the next to keep wandering in the dark about who we are? Or are we willing to accept a round of European, Western interpretation and writing and Brooke's biography to find out who we are in Sarawak?

"This is really history that can reflect our journey as a nation, as individuals and as a nation-state", he said.