KOTA KINABALU: A coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), led by the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF), will be organising a gathering on Friday (Aug 31) to commemorate Sabah's 55 years of independence.
BHF president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic) said the gathering will be held at Stadium Penampang near here at 9am, to counter the state-level celebration of the National Day on the same date.
The Sabah STAR president said despite falling on the same date (Aug 31), Sabah's Independence Day should not be confused with Malaysia's National Day and should therefore be celebrated separately.
"Sabah's Independence Day is not the same with Malaysia's Independence Day, which we feel is incorrect as Malaysia was never colonised, and therefore never given independence.
"After all, the federation of Malaysia only came to be in 1963," Dr Jeffrey said when contacted on Tuesday (Aug 28).
Sabah, Sarawak and the Federation of Malaya (along with Singapore) formed the new Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
Dr Jeffrey, who is Keningau MP and Tambunan assemblyman, said Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee were invited to speak at the event.
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