Sabahans from all over the state gathered at Pisompuruan Square in Tambunan on Thursday (Aug 31) to celebrate Sabah Day, as the state government decided to commemorate 60 years of independence.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor stated that Sabah Day holds historical and significant value not only for the present generation but also for the past and future ones.
“Sabah Day has traditionally been celebrated in various districts on Aug 31, which coincides with the day Sabah achieved independence from British colonial rule in 1963, followed by Malaysia Day on Sept 16,” he explained.
Hajiji added that the then British governor, Sir William Goode, announced on Aug 28, 1963, in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), that the state would have its own government and new constitution starting on Aug 31.
“Subsequently, each district was instructed to prepare for celebrating Sabah Day on Aug 31. However, National Day celebrations on the same date overshadowed this event,” he noted.
“Efforts to revive Sabah Day celebrations have been ongoing for several years,” he continued.
“Recognizing the importance of this celebration to the local population, the state government decided to resurrect Sabah Day and commemorate it in the same manner as it was 60 years ago,” Hajiji stated.
He also highlighted that Sarawak has been celebrating Sarawak Day on July 22.
Notably, Hajiji emphasized the significance of remembering this historical state event as it served as a prelude to the larger event of the formation of Malaysia.
“Six decades have passed, but it’s better late than never!” he exclaimed.
Hajiji also pointed out that the combination of national and state-level development policies have set Sabah on the right path for continuous growth.
While significant progress has been made since the formation of Malaysia six decades ago, he acknowledged that there are still numerous issues that need to be addressed in order to bridge the gap between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
He expressed confidence in the efforts of both the state and federal governments to improve the economy and living standards of the people.
“We believe that these close ties will also facilitate any claims related to the Malaysia Agreement (MA63) and other related matters,” he added.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
