KOTA KINABALU: The state-level National Day and Sabah Day celebrations on Aug 31 are expected to reflect the people's confidence in Sabah's future while strengthening the spirit of unity and love for the state and the country.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the celebrations are not merely an annual event, but also an opportunity for the people to appreciate history, honour the struggles of past generations and look ahead with confidence to Sabah's future within Malaysia.
"Let us together make Aug 31, 2026, a celebration that reflects our confidence in Sabah's future, the spirit of unity among the people, and our love for the state and the country," he told a press conference on the 2026 State-Level National Day and Sabah Day celebrations here on Thursday (Aug 20).
Masidi, who also chairs the Main Committee for the 2026 National Day and Sabah Day celebrations, said the event provides an opportunity for the public to gain a deeper understanding of Sabah's history and its journey towards the formation of Malaysia.
He said understanding history is not simply about looking back, but is crucial to appreciating past achievements and recognising the responsibility of shaping the direction to be taken in the future.
"That is why I want Sabah's young generation to know the history of their state and country. More importantly, they should not merely be spectators to development. They must be given the space and opportunity to become participants, contributors and ultimately the driving force behind Sabah's future," he said.
Masidi said Sabah's greatest strength, its unity in diversity, must be preserved, with the state's diverse races, religions, cultures and backgrounds viewed as assets that unite and enrich the state.
The state-level National Day celebration will be held at Kota Kinabalu City Square in the morning, featuring 180 contingents in the parade and march-past.
In the evening, the focus will shift to the Sabah Day celebration, with the programme highlighting youth and the young generation as the state's future, alongside performances and official events at the same venue.
Masidi said last year's celebration attracted about 30,000 to 40,000 people during the morning session, and he expected a similar turnout this year, including for the evening's Sabah Day events.
Sabah Day was officially proclaimed on June 5, 2024, with Aug 31 designated as its official date, making this the third year the occasion is being officially celebrated alongside National Day. – Bernama
