KOTA KINABALU – A call has been made for the recognition of Sabah Day to generate awareness and appreciation among the younger generation who lack a proper understanding of the state’s history, especially its role in the formation of Malaysia.
Senator Datuk Donald Mojuntin said one of the most common misconceptions is that North Borneo – as Sabah was known until 1963 – became an independent country before it joined Malaysia.
“North Borneo was never an independent country. Historically and as a matter of fact, Sabah was a de facto independent nation between August 31, 1963 and September 16, 1963.
“North Borneo also did not join Malaysia. As a de facto nation, Sabah merged with the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore to form Malaysia. There was no country called Malaysia before that,” he said in an interview with The Vibes.
Sabah was granted independence by the British on August 31, 1963.
It then became a founding member of the Federation of Malaysia – together with Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) – on September 16 the same year.
Donald, who is deputy president of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation, said it is unfortunate that these important historical facts are not taught in children’s history books, which makes it all the more important that the younger generation be aware of them.
“My message to our Sabahan younger generation is, if you love the land of your birth, you should know its history and be involved in taking care of its well-being.
“It will also allow you to understand why Sabahans are talking about Sabah rights and entitlements under the Malaysia Act 1963. Nobody else will take care of Sabah as well as and as passionately as us Sabahans.
“Please take the time to understand what occurred on August 31, 1963 and September 16, 1963, as well as all the preceding events and all the relevant events following those dates. Then, and only then will it become clear to you all Sabah’s struggle in the past, today and in the future.”
Donald’s father, Datuk Peter Mojuntin, was one of the earliest state ministers, serving under Tun Fuad Stephens from 1971 to 1976.
On June 6, 1976, Peter was on a plane with Stephens and several state members from Labuan when the aircraft crashed about 2km from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. All were killed in the incident, which became known as the Double Six Tragedy.
Donald said as a true Sabahan, he wholeheartedly agrees with the move to gazette August 31 as Sabah Day, as is being planned by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
“It is a significant date for Sabah. The date marks the establishment of self-government in North Borneo.
“This independence lasted exactly 16 days until September 16, 1963, whereupon North Borneo, the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore came together to form a new country called Malaysia.”
Historian’s understanding of Aug 31
Bilcher Bala, a historian and professor at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, told The Vibes that Sabah became a state of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, but many factors have led people to believe that Sabah became independent on August 31.
August 31 was the day Sabah achieved self-government from the British, and this is not equivalent to independence, he said.
From August 31, 1963 to September 16, 1963, he said, Sabah was a de facto self-government.
“De facto means there was another power (British governor) holding real law and order behind the scenes. The last governor departed Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) at noon on September 15, 1963.”
The confusion may have stemmed from the original schedule, where August 31, 1963 was fixed for Sabah to join Malaysia, but the date was postponed to September 16 that year, said Bilcher.
However, he said, there is nothing wrong in Sabah observing August 31 as Sabah Day.
“For example, Malaya was given self-government (federal cabinet formed) on August 9, 1955, but became independent on August 31, 1957.
“Sarawak formed its state cabinet on July 22, 1963, and they called it Sarawak Day (independent), despite the fact that they obtained self-government (in force) on August 31, 1963, too. But Sarawak preferred July 22, 1963 instead of August 31, 1963.
“Therefore, I think it is a matter between fact and the desire of the people’s politics.”
He also said it is reasonable for August 31 to be declared Sabah Day to commemorate and appreciate the spirit of understanding and unity among past Sabah leaders and people in achieving self-government and a form of independence through the formation of Malaysia.
Is younger generation clueless?
Andy Kwong, a 31-year-old businessman, said he learnt in school that August 31 was Malaya’s independence day and September 16, the day Sabah commemorates its independence.
“I do not really understand why August 31 should be Sabah Day now. I thought Sabah became independent on September 16.”
He is not entirely wrong, but September 16 is celebrated as Malaysia Day because on that date in 1963, Malaysia was formed with Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore.
Before that, Sabah attained self-government on August 31, and its fight for freedom reached its peak that day.
Iskandar Saller, son of Salleh Sulong, who was state finance minister under Stephens, agreed that young Sabahans do not understand history well enough.
“Young people should understand and remember where you came from. Be proud of where you came from, and do something for our country so that we can be proud of ourselves.”
History enthusiast and Sandakan Heritage Trail founder Lai King Hang said the government should reintroduce the teaching of local history in schools, which was discontinued in the mid-1960s.
“Form a history club in schools so that our young generation can appreciate our own heritage and learn from Sabah’s past experience.
“Without knowing our roots, the young people of today are unable to comprehend the sacrifices of our forefathers, who worked tirelessly in a multicultural and multireligious environment to make this land a better place to prosper.” –The Vibes, August 29, 2021
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