By Prem Kitingan, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary General of STARSABAH and Youth Chief for Tambunan division
The recent Gazette of Sabah Day by the government of Sabah is both historical and monumental for Sabah.
It shows that the government is taking the necessary steps to correct historical facts prior to the formation of the federation of Malaysia on the 16th September 1963.
Sabah Day will strengthen the position of Sabah in pursuing its rights and will also differentiate itself more from the other states in Malaya as it will reflect the equal partnership of Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya.
Sabah has its own independence date which falls on the 31st of August 1963 just like Sarawak’s independence dated on the 22nd July 1963.
If we ask a Sarawakian when their independence date is, everyone will have the same answer which is the 22nd of July, while in Sabah you would get different answers, that is why the gazette is necessary and important as to emphasize further that Sabah is one of the founding members of Malaysia and to acknowledge that 31st August 1963 is indeed a historical day for Sabah when it was given self-government and independence from the British as quoted by by Sir William Goode, the last Governor of British North Borneo, on Aug 31, 1963 before departing at Jesselton port, who said:
_”Today is a historic day for Sabah. It marks the beginning of self-government and independence and the end of colonialism.”
The remarks made by the Tungku assemblyman on to clarify Sabah Day shows the lack of concerns and understanding of the importance and its significant for Sabah to move forward.
Sabah Day happened and that is a fact that we cannot deny, that is why YB DSP Dr Jeffrey Kitingan always mentioned that Sabah Day is part of a lost Malaysian history that should be recognize and be respected.
They should stop comparing Sabah with Sarawak if they don’t even recognize Sabah Day. Sarawak has been prosperous after they recognized their independence date in 2016, this has proven the significant it has brought to Sarawak and its people.
Should Sabah adopt the same approach, then we will see the difference in years to come.
I applaud the efforts made by the government, especially YB Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan on his continuous and consistent efforts since 1985 in pursuing Sabah rights and to correct historical facts.
All of this would not be possible without the support and movements since 2013 from various NGO groups and political parties like United Borneo Front (UBF), Pertubuhan Peningkatan Pendidikan Rakyat Sabah (PIPA), Sorak Sabah, STARSABAH, SAPP.
As one of the aspirations of the people for all these years has been fulfilled and I believe more will come under the leadership of GRS and also the president of STARSABAH Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Let’s all come together as Sabahans to celebrate and recognize 31st August as Sabah’s Independence Day and 16th September we celebrate as Malaysians.
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