KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s independence on Aug 31, 1963, is an important part of history that needs to be told, appreciated and preserved, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor (pic).
He said this includes Sabah's path to independence, its role in the formation of Malaysia, and various aspects of its socio-economic growth.
“We must always remember how we started, and (consider) how far we have come from the start until today,” he said at the Sabah Day celebration in Padang Merdeka here on Sunday (Aug 31) night.
Hajiji said Sabah has improved a lot in terms of economy, social growth, human capital, education, and other sectors of development.
“It is vital that our younger generation understands how we came to achieve all this success, and be ready to continue (to do) better so that there would be more prosperity, peace and harmony in the future,” he said.
In his opening speech, central organising chairman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Deputy Chief Minister I, reiterated the importance of finding strength as well as similarities in differences.
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He said Sabah is blessed with rich cultural and religious diversity, which should always be a unifying agent instead of a reason for disunity.
“If we are broken, we remain colonised,” he said, adding that discord could disrupt the ongoing development agenda.
He also said anti-bullying efforts should be a principal focus for Sabah moving forward.
He suggested enacting an anti-bullying law named after the late 13-year-old schoolgirl Zara Qairina Mahathir, who was said to be a victim of bullying before her death on July 17.
Kitingan’s call for this "Zara law" to be enacted earned him a standing ovation.
He stressed how unity can bring people together to achieve greater heights, and how discord can destroy everything that has been built in just a moment.
“Let us continue to work together as one nation, as one community and as one Sabah, to realise all our dreams for a better tomorrow,” he said.
Also present were Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman, his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, ministers and their spouses, assemblymen, state officials and other dignitaries.
The night ended with a colourful fireworks display after cultural performances and other activities throughout the day.
