Kota Kinabalu: From a 15-year-old student to a 64-year-old retiree, Sabahans appear clear on a historical distinction they say should never be confused — Aug 31 marks Malaya’s independence in 1957, while Sept 16 marks the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
A random Malaysia Day survey by Daily Express among Sabahans found them having no difficulty in distinguishing the two dates.
More significantly, even the teenage respondents understood Sabah’s involvement in the formation of Malaysia, suggesting that awareness of the State’s place in the country’s history is reaching the younger generation.
Fifteen-year-old Inanam student Vilandra Maeyron had little difficulty answering all three questions posed to her.
“Sept 16, 1963 was the day Malaysia was officially formed. The Federation of Malaya joined with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form the new country called Malaysia,” she said.
“Aug 31 is when Malaya became independent, while Sept 16 is when Malaysia was formed.”She also knew that Sabah, then known as North Borneo, was one of the territories involved in Malaysia’s formation. Also that both Borneo states were already self-governing territories, Sarawak since July 22 and Sabah since Aug 31, 1963, well before Malaysia was formed.
ScarlettSeventeen-year-old Penampang student Scarlett Itzel gave a similarly clear answer.
“Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963. Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaya to form Malaysia together with Singapore at the time,” she said.
“Aug 31, 1957 was the day Malaya got its independence, while Sept 16, 1963 was the day Malaysia was officially formed.”Scarlett said Sabah agreed to the formation after the views of its people were taken into consideration.
Their responses were echoed by the adults interviewed, although several went further by stressing that Sabah’s role in 1963 should be properly understood.
Craig Abel Micheal, 37, from Kota Kinabalu who now lives in Kuala Lumpur, said Sept 16 commemorates the formation of the Federation of Malaysia involving Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo.
He said Aug 31 commemorates the Federation of Malaya gaining independence from Britain, whereas Sept 16 marks the formation of Malaysia.
Craig was particularly emphatic about how Sabah’s role should be described.
“Sabah and Sarawak did not join Malaysia but instead formed the Federation with Malaya and Singapore,” he said, noting that Singapore subsequently separated from Malaysia in 1965.
He said Sabah and Sarawak’s distinct constitutional position and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) must remain part of the conversation when Malaysia Day is commemorated.
IsabellaIsabella Thomas, 38, a secondary school teacher in Lahad Datu, said understanding the distinction was especially important for younger generations.
“Sept 16 is very important because this was where the Malaysia that we know today began,” she said.
“Aug 31, 1957 was when Malaya achieved independence, while Sept 16, 1963 was when Malaysia was formed. Both dates are important, but they commemorate different events.”She said Sabah played an important role as one of the territories involved in the country’s formation.
“As a Sabahan, I think it is important that we understand this history so that the younger generation knows Sabah was not merely part of Malaysia today, but was involved from the beginning in the formation of the country,” she said.
AgnesFor 64-year-old retiree Agnes Khaw, the meaning of Sept 16 has become particularly personal after living in Penampang for 46 years.
A permanent resident who said she now feels very much like a Sabahan, Agnes said Malaysia did not exist on Aug 31, 1957.
“On Malaysia Day, Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore came together and formed a country — Malaysia,” she said.
She also pointed to MA63, saying questions surrounding Sabah’s rights remain relevant more than six decades later.
“Sabah reached an agreement with Federal based on MA63, but until now Sabah is still fighting for its rights,” she said.
Jess, 36, who works in sales, similarly described Sabah as a founding participant rather than an “afterthought”.
“Aug 31 is Malaya’s independence from the British in 1957. Sept 16 is Malaysia Day, when Sabah, Sarawak, Malaya and Singapore came together to form Malaysia in 1963,” she said.
She also highlighted safeguards sought for Sabah during the formation process, including matters concerning immigration and other State interests.
Mildred, 36, from Luyang, said without Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia as it exists today would not have been formed in the same way.
She said Sabah’s participation also brought with it the cultures, languages and heritage that contribute to Malaysia’s diversity.
Kundasang teacher Jurina Paulus, 39, described Sept 16, 1963 as a historic moment which saw the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore come together to establish a new country called Malaysia.
“Sept 16 is a very meaningful date for Malaysians because it marks the birth of the country that we know as Malaysia today,” she said.
She said this was distinct from National Day on Aug 31, which commemorates the Federation of Malaya’s independence in 1957.
“From the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak, this diversity is what shapes Malaysia’s unique identity.
“Although we come from different backgrounds, cultures and customs, we share the same homeland,” she said.
The responses suggest that, at least among those interviewed, the distinction between Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day is well understood — including among Sabah’s younger generation.
And while their wording differed, one point was remarkably consistent across the generations: Malaysia as a country dates to Sept 16, 1963, and Sabah’s role in that history should not be overlooked.
