Alfred and his wife flying the Sabah and Malaysian flag while their son was fixated on the performances in front.
KOTA KINABALU: Local songs brought out the crowds to the Sabah Day celebrations at Padang Merdeka on Sunday (Aug 31) night, where thousands gathered for the event’s second consecutive year.
Among the crowd was a family of three; Alfred Raphael, 33, Anathasia Thomas, 33, and their 19-month-old son Alven Cephas Alfred, who braved the crowds after Sunday evening mass to attend the state-level celebration.
The cultural performances and the lights that illuminated the stage captivated the toddler, who even danced a little to upbeat songs such as “Original Sabahan”.
His father, a special officer in a government department, said he wanted his son to appreciate and enjoy Sabah Day from a young age, hoping he would grow up to be a patriotic Sabahan.
“I want him to gradually learn about the history of Sabah. This is an important piece of history that every Sabahan must learn and understand,” Alfred said, adding that history shapes the future of a state, country, community and even a person.
He said if people do not know their own history, they will not realise they are free and independent as individuals, a state or a nation.
Anathasia said the programmes and performances were amazing and their trip from church was worth it.
During the event, which began at 8pm, guests enjoyed culturally infused dances from award-winning school troupes, native song-like poems called hiis (in Kadazandusun), poetry recitations and songs from local artistes.
Other highlights included an appreciation award for Sabah’s forefathers—the late Tun Mustapha Harun, who fought the Japanese, the late Tun Fuad Stephens and the late Datuk GS Sundang.
Their sacrifices for Sabah’s independence and for the formation of Malaysia were remembered and deeply appreciated.
Their next of kin—Mustapha’s eldest daughter, Fuad’s nephew and Sundang’s great-granddaughter—received the appreciation plaque from Sabah’s Head of State Tun Musa Aman, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, and event chairperson Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, with other dignitaries present.
Guests also watched a short montage of Sabah’s history, from its days as North Borneo under British rule (1881–1941), through Japanese occupation, and the struggles for independence.
These included uprisings led by Aki Gumboi and Aki Lengkatu of the Dusun Tindal in Kota Belud in 1893, and others such as Aki Simbarrang, Aki Togallen, Aki Tampuhim, Aki Kandurong, and Aki Si Gunting from Kota Marudu (1894–1905).
The fight continued with Datu Muhamad Salleh Mat Salleh (Suluk Bajau), who fought the British from 1896 until his death in 1900, and other Dusun leaders like Mat Sator, Mat Daud, Kamunta, and Santara, as well as Aki Langkap, Pak Musah (Aki Adui Unggu), the Muruts Linggam and Malayak, and Ontoros Buyusan (Antanom).
While these fighters used force, others like Gunsanad Kina engaged in intellectual negotiations and peaceful reform between 1896 and 1915.
During the Japanese occupation in 1942, resistance leaders such as Albert Kwok and the Kinabalu Guerillas, Ali Manda, O.T Ongga, Sabbi, Saludin, Halifrah, and Angkai Bangkilat made sacrifices, with many killed.
Between 1942 and 1945, Tun Mustapha sought help from America to end the war, before the Japanese surrendered in September 1945.
This marked the start of Sabah’s road to independence in 1963, when on August 31, Sabah was given authority to form its own government before joining the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963.
