Natives from Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu turning up to join the first Sabah Day celebrations in interior Tambunan. — Photos by Patrick Mosinoh
IT was a cool Aug 31 afternoon in Sabah’s interior Tambunan valley.
Crowds of people from various districts were streaming into Pisompuruan Square to celebrate the “long-forgotten” Sabah Day.
To the many who gathered, including Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and other state leaders, it was a “historic moment”, a revival of a forgotten past.
The state government for the first time in 60 years celebrated its independence from British colonial rule on Aug 31, 1963.
It was a date forgotten in the annals of Sabah’s history as Malaysia’s National Day celebrations overshadowed the important milestone in the state’s journey to self rule and its eventual joining the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
Enohomoi hopes that more Sabahans will now be aware and understand their history.
For many in the crowd that thronged Pisompuruan Square, they were unaware of Sabah’s independence from British rule 60 years ago.
Hailing from Sabah’s northern Kudat district, Enohomoi Mokilin, 53, was among those who was unaware of the important date in the state’s history.
“I feel it is more meaningful as Sabahans to celebrate Sabah Day, now that we know we have our own day of independence which falls on the same day as Malaysia’s independence.
“I am excited. I came all the way from Matunggong (Kudat) just to celebrate Sabah Day,” she said.
Enohomoi hopes that more Sabahans will now be aware and understand their history.
“Sabah Day must also be included in our school history books for everyone to be aware of the history of the country,” she said.
For 22-year-old student Cliefy George, 22, celebrating Sabah Day was a joy for him.
“I am proud we are celebrating Sabah Day because all this while our celebrations only focused on National Day which did not reflect Sabah’s independence,” Cliefy added.
Cliefy and many others hope that celebrating Sabah Day would not only help create a better understanding of the state’s history but help build unity among the people in the state.
The state government decided to hold the Sabah Day celebrations to remind people of the important date in the state’s history.
Hajiji told the crowd that Sabah Day was a historic and significant official event not only for the current generation, but also for the past and the future.
He said the then British governor, Sir William Goode, declared on Aug 28, 1963, in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) that the state would have its own government and constitution starting Aug 31, 1963, and it was to be celebrated in all districts.
With the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, the date was overshadowed by National Day.
“Efforts to revive Sabah Day celebrations actually started several years ago. Realising the importance of this celebration to the people here, the state government decided to bring back Sabah Day and how it was celebrated 60 years ago,” he said, adding that Sarawak had been celebrating Sarawak Day on July 22.
“Six decades may have passed... but better late than never,” Hajiji told the people.
He assured that Sabah would continue efforts to reduce the development gap with Peninsular Malaysia and was working with the federal government towards improving the economy and living standards of the people.
