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KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will not surrender its land or bow to anyone threatening its sovereignty under the Federation of Malaysia, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.
He said bids by certain groups to carry out intrusions to claim Sabah or use foreign courts have been successfully neutralised by the sacrifices of the nation's security forces and firm action by Putrajaya to stop legal attempts overseas to make unsubstantiated claims on Sabah.
He added that these attempts challenge the peace and prosperity of an independent Sabah under the Federation of Malaysia.
"Sabah will not give an inch and will defend the sovereignty of this state. Indeed, we have been tested with various threats and situations. However, all that will not weaken our spirit and commitment to continue defending Sabah as part of the Federation of Malaysia," Hajiji said at a Malaysia Day celebration on Monday night (Sept 16) with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in attendance at the historic Padang Merdeka.
"The bloody intrusion in Tanduo 11 years ago is still fresh in our memory. Some of our national heroes died on that battlefield. It became a black page in the modern history of this country," Hajiji said, referring to the self-claimed members of the defunct Sulu sultanate led by Agbimuddin Kiram who intruded in Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu in Feb 2013.
He added that the threat continued with them pushing so-called claims against Malaysia using foreign courts, but Malaysia has successfully stopped it.
"The insistence of our Prime Minister and the Federal Government ensured Malaysia immediately responded to uphold our rights as a sovereign and independent state and nation," he added.
Hajiji said the latest decision by the Dutch Supreme Court to reject the Sulu claimants' appeal was good news for Sabah and its people.
"The final decision is very important to Sabah because it finally puts an end to the demands that have never been recognised by the people and the Government. The rejection of the appeal directly strengthens the sovereignty of Sabah in Malaysia, which cannot be disputed or disturbed by any party," he said, thanking Anwar and the federal government for defending Sabah's rights and sovereignty in foreign courts.
Hajiji noted that Sabah has progressed significantly under Malaysia over the last six decades, with more to be done for the overall development of the state.
"With the decision to be a partner in Malaysia, Sabah, from a state that was backward under colonialism, began to enter a new era, taking steps towards change and progress in all aspects of life," Hajiji said at the Malaysia Day celebrations.
"Today, after 61 years have passed, although there is still much to be done to achieve independence and improve the standard of living of the people - especially in rural and remote areas - Sabah, the second-largest state in Malaysia, has actually enjoyed various changes and progress which is not a small achievement."
He said Sabah has seen changes in various areas including economic and development sectors, education, health, socio-economy, infrastructure, and the strengthening of its security and defence.
"All that we have achieved is because of our success together in Malaysia," he said.
