Gazette Sabah Day to recognise the state as co-founder of Malaysia, says Star

 

Sabah Star deputy president Jalumin Bayogoh. - Pic courtesy of Sabah Star

KOTA KINABALU: It is time for Sabah to be given due recognition as a co-partner in the formation of Malaysia.

This could be done through gazetting Sabah Day to mark the day that the state achieved independence.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) in making the call said by recognising Sabah Day, it will boost the significance of Malaysia Day as the country's National Day.

Sabah Star deputy president Jalumin Bayogoh said what they had proposed was never an intention to dismiss Malaysia Day.

"We have received many encouraging responses from various parties to gazette Sabah Day. Whether these comments are in support or opposition, they all share a common aspiration that Sabah should be recognised as one of the co-founders of Malaysia.

"Despite not agreeing on a date, we did achieve independence as a state."

He said the British colonial administration gave Sabah self-government status on Aug 31, 1963 – a fact that was widely publicised in the printed media of the time.

"For 16 days, we had complete authority over the direction and the future of our nation. Imagine if our predecessors had chosen not to pursue the Malaysian route.

"With the installation of a de-facto government on Aug 31, 1963, we had attained de-facto independence."

Jalumin said the uncertainty among the younger generations today towards the formation of Malaysia stems from the teaching and dissemination of historical facts in school textbooks that favour the peninsula.

Due to this, he said urgent remedy is needed to correct the error while we still have the opportunity.

Although Malaysia Day was declared a public holiday for the first time in 2010, it was never accorded the due significance, he said.

"The date Sept 16, 1963 signified the birth of a new nation. Malaysia was formed by the union of four territories (including Singapore at the time). Why is it not recognised as the real National Day?

"How can we or our children recognise themselves as Malaysians if we don't or can't even recognise the birth of our nation?

"Sabah and Sarawak are not insignificant partners in Malaysia's formation. We made Malaysia. We have just as much invested in Malaysia as the Federation of Malaya.

"None of the three territories that comprise the nation could claim Malaysia as its exclusive aspiration."

As such, Jalumin urges Sabahans to support the state government's demand to declare Aug 31 as Sabah Day.

"The concept of independence should begin at home, and we demand it. We must not allow ourselves to become enslaved by semantics," he said. - NST