Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor called on the people, especially the younger generation, to continue fostering the spirit of patriotism, preserving unity and safeguarding harmony among the various races and religions in the State.
“Racial unity is the key to our strength and must continue to be upheld, especially in this modern era,” he said in his message in conjunction with this year’s National Day and Sabah Day celebrations.
He said the National Day and Sabah Day celebrations, both observed on August 31, should not merely be commemorated but deeply appreciated as a means of nurturing patriotism and honouring the sacrifices of the nation’s independence fighters.
“I believe these two important celebrations can serve as a unifying point for all Malaysians in Sabah, regardless of race and religion,” he said.
Hajiji said this year’s National Day theme, Malaysia MADANI: Shared Prosperity, reflects the Government’s commitment to building a progressive, inclusive and harmonious nation while ensuring that the benefits of the country’s prosperity are shared fairly by all Malaysians.
“Meanwhile, the Sabah Day theme, Sabah Tanah Airku (Sabah My Homeland), reflects the people’s love, pride and loyalty towards the State.
“The theme also conveys the importance of togetherness and a sense of belonging among the multi-racial community in preserving harmony, which will contribute to the State’s progress and well-being,” he said.
The Chief Minister also called on all Sabahans to fly the Jalur Gemilang and Sabah State flags at their homes, offices, on their vehicles and at their business premises as part of efforts to foster patriotism and love for the country.
“Let us remain united in rejecting elements that seek to undermine the harmony of the people in this State. May these celebrations serve as a platform for us to continue strengthening our identity, unity and harmony for the progress of Sabah,” he said.
For the record, National Day marks the independence of Malaya on Aug. 31, 1957 while Sabah Day marks the date that British North Borneo (Sabah) gained Self-Government status on the same day and 16 days before Malaysia came about.
The formation of Malaysia was initially slated for Aug. 31, 1963 to coincide with Malaya’s independence but this was forced to be deferred to Sept. 16 1963 due to protests to the United Nations by Indonesia and Philippines.
