Sabah political leaders have expressed their support for the state government’s decision to officially celebrate Sabah Day on August 31. This inaugural celebration commemorates Sabah’s independence from British rule 60 years ago, and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s announcement demonstrates the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government’s commitment to the desires of Sabahans.
“After years of struggle, this news brings joy and relief to SAPP, Sabah STAR, and all Sabah Day advocates,” said SAPP deputy president Japiril Suhaimin in a statement. He sees this as a significant moment in Sabah’s history.
However, Japiril highlights the lack of awareness among Sabahans and Malaysians about the historical distinction between Malaya’s independence on August 31, 1957, and Sabah Day on the same date in 1963. In the past, Sabahans typically celebrated August 31 to commemorate Malaya’s independence.
SAPP hopes that the Sabah Day celebration will become an annual event, properly and officially recognized, to increase awareness of Sabah’s important history. They are confident that Sabah Day will eventually be gazetted.
Local parties like Sabah STAR and SAPP have been advocating for the recognition of Sabah Day for years. Chief Minister Hajiji announced on August 21 that Sabah will celebrate Sabah Day this year on August 31 to mark the day it became an independent nation 60 years ago.
The state Cabinet made this decision during its recent meeting and selected Tambunan as the venue for the inaugural celebration, which will begin at 3pm. Hajiji encourages everyone to honor and commemorate the day that marked the end of British colonial rule in Sabah and symbolizes the state’s journey toward self-rule and unity.
While the decision to recognize August 31 as Sabah Day is welcomed by all, Parti Warisan’s Tungku assemblyman Assaffal Alian believes the celebration should focus on the day when North Borneo was released by the British empire to be under self-rule, rather than attaining independence status. Assaffal argues that Sabah did not attain independent status and urges Hajiji to correct this oversight. He further requests that a motion on Sabah’s independence be tabled in the next state assembly sitting to allow for a debate on the matter.
With this move to officially celebrate Sabah Day, the state government aims to foster a deeper understanding of Sabah’s history among its people and strengthen their sense of identity and pride in their state’s journey towards self-rule. Sabah Day, which falls on August 31, serves as a reminder of the end of British colonial rule in Sabah and the state’s progress in establishing its own government.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
