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TwitterMalaysia celebrates 53rd National Day
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
When Donald Stephens, dressed in a Kadazandusun traditional attire, read the proclamation of the Federation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, it was a highly meaningful and exciting moment for the thousands of people at the Jesselton Town Field.
Abdul Rahim Ismail was a form one student at Sabah College when he witnessed the important event that not only marked the inauguration of a new nation called Malaysia but officially confirmed Sabah's participation in the federation.
"Although I knew what was going on but at that particular moment I did not think much of the event's significance to my state as well as my future," said Abdul Rahim. The historical event at the town field now known as Padang Merdeka was held in the presence of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the deputy prime minister then.
After the proclamation was read, (Tun) Datu Mustapha Datu Harun was sworn in as Head of State and Donald Stephen (later to be known as Tun Fuad Donald Stephen) as the Chief Minister of Sabah.
Looking back, Abdul Rahim, now a Datuk and a former state minister, said being the son of a poor fisherman, there was nothing much to look forward in life and he was unsure of his future.
"But independence has indeed brought new hope to the people of Sabah, especially the poor like me. I am proud to say that what I have achieved today was the result of Sabah's independence through Malaysia," said Abdul Rahim, who hails from Kampung Buang Sayang, Papar.
Transformation of Sabah
Abdul Rahim who is currently the Chairman of the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) pointed out that Sabah has undergone tremendous transformation in terms of physical infrastructure and socio-economic development since joining the federation. "But the real transformation as far as Sabah is concerned is undoubtedly after the Barisan Nasional (BN) took charge of the state, where the Federal-State government working relationship improved tremendously," he said.
While Malaysians truly benefited from their new found freedom, some countries were unfortunate because they were still troubled by internal conflicts that led to bloodshed and civil wars even after independence. "I think we should never forget to tell our children and future generation on the importance of appreciating our country's independence," he said.
In echoing Abdul Rahim's views, Zaiton OKK Anik agreed that since gaining independence through Malaysia 47 years ago Sabah has practically transformed from an economic backwater into a vibrant, united and progressive state. Now people can move freely and conveniently from one place to another because of the availability of good road network throughout the state.
"You will also notice that even some remote areas in Sabah are now provided with electricity, water supply, clinics and schools," the 59-year former teacher said.
Zaiton, who attended secondary school in Keningau, said she was particularly proud of Sabah's transformation in the field of education, especially with the mushrooming of public and private institutions of higher learning in the state.
"Thirty years ago or so, it was very costly for Sabahans to pursue studies at universities in Peninsular due to many factors, including distance, cost of air flights and accommodation," says Zaiton.
"But Sabah students now have the opportunity to pursue their studies at local universities without having to go overseas," she said.
Zaiton also believes that Sabah's rapid socio-economic development under Malaysia is due to the sound management of its vast resources by past and present leaders, especially under the BN government. In short, Sabah through the goodwill of state and federal leaders has indeed gained a lot in terms of socio-economic development since gaining independence and the people now enjoying better standard of living.
History of Independence
A young lawyer, Azman Ruslan, feels fortunate to learn of the experiences of his parents who have lived during and after the colonial era. "It is even more fortunate for people of my generation because we have everything on a silver platter as a result of the selfless struggles of our past and present leaders. I therefore believe that we should not only play a role in safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation but also teach the future generation about the meaning and importance of independence," says Azman, who was born in August, 1970. Azman, who is also Sabah Umno Youth head, said, "It was therefore imperative for the future generation to remember the history of our country's independence as colonialisation could repeat in different perspective."
While appreciative of Sabah's tremendous socio-economic achievement under Malaysia, Jasni Matlani, a writer and head of the Badan Bahasa Sabah (Bahasa), believes "the struggle must continue in safeguarding our sovereignty". "I suggest that any form of activities that involve youths must include programmes that inculcate the history of our nations independence as well as paying tribute to those who struggled for independence," he said. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Apin says those who have inherited the colonialists era robust thinking must consider themselves lucky. "We find that life in the challenging 21st century actually calls for the rigid and disciplined leadership of the colonial era," he said.
Bernama
Abdul Rahim Ismail was a form one student at Sabah College when he witnessed the important event that not only marked the inauguration of a new nation called Malaysia but officially confirmed Sabah's participation in the federation.
"Although I knew what was going on but at that particular moment I did not think much of the event's significance to my state as well as my future," said Abdul Rahim. The historical event at the town field now known as Padang Merdeka was held in the presence of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the deputy prime minister then.
After the proclamation was read, (Tun) Datu Mustapha Datu Harun was sworn in as Head of State and Donald Stephen (later to be known as Tun Fuad Donald Stephen) as the Chief Minister of Sabah.
Looking back, Abdul Rahim, now a Datuk and a former state minister, said being the son of a poor fisherman, there was nothing much to look forward in life and he was unsure of his future.
"But independence has indeed brought new hope to the people of Sabah, especially the poor like me. I am proud to say that what I have achieved today was the result of Sabah's independence through Malaysia," said Abdul Rahim, who hails from Kampung Buang Sayang, Papar.
Transformation of Sabah
Abdul Rahim who is currently the Chairman of the Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) pointed out that Sabah has undergone tremendous transformation in terms of physical infrastructure and socio-economic development since joining the federation. "But the real transformation as far as Sabah is concerned is undoubtedly after the Barisan Nasional (BN) took charge of the state, where the Federal-State government working relationship improved tremendously," he said.
While Malaysians truly benefited from their new found freedom, some countries were unfortunate because they were still troubled by internal conflicts that led to bloodshed and civil wars even after independence. "I think we should never forget to tell our children and future generation on the importance of appreciating our country's independence," he said.
In echoing Abdul Rahim's views, Zaiton OKK Anik agreed that since gaining independence through Malaysia 47 years ago Sabah has practically transformed from an economic backwater into a vibrant, united and progressive state. Now people can move freely and conveniently from one place to another because of the availability of good road network throughout the state.
"You will also notice that even some remote areas in Sabah are now provided with electricity, water supply, clinics and schools," the 59-year former teacher said.
Zaiton, who attended secondary school in Keningau, said she was particularly proud of Sabah's transformation in the field of education, especially with the mushrooming of public and private institutions of higher learning in the state.
"Thirty years ago or so, it was very costly for Sabahans to pursue studies at universities in Peninsular due to many factors, including distance, cost of air flights and accommodation," says Zaiton.
"But Sabah students now have the opportunity to pursue their studies at local universities without having to go overseas," she said.
Zaiton also believes that Sabah's rapid socio-economic development under Malaysia is due to the sound management of its vast resources by past and present leaders, especially under the BN government. In short, Sabah through the goodwill of state and federal leaders has indeed gained a lot in terms of socio-economic development since gaining independence and the people now enjoying better standard of living.
History of Independence
A young lawyer, Azman Ruslan, feels fortunate to learn of the experiences of his parents who have lived during and after the colonial era. "It is even more fortunate for people of my generation because we have everything on a silver platter as a result of the selfless struggles of our past and present leaders. I therefore believe that we should not only play a role in safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation but also teach the future generation about the meaning and importance of independence," says Azman, who was born in August, 1970. Azman, who is also Sabah Umno Youth head, said, "It was therefore imperative for the future generation to remember the history of our country's independence as colonialisation could repeat in different perspective."
While appreciative of Sabah's tremendous socio-economic achievement under Malaysia, Jasni Matlani, a writer and head of the Badan Bahasa Sabah (Bahasa), believes "the struggle must continue in safeguarding our sovereignty". "I suggest that any form of activities that involve youths must include programmes that inculcate the history of our nations independence as well as paying tribute to those who struggled for independence," he said. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Apin says those who have inherited the colonialists era robust thinking must consider themselves lucky. "We find that life in the challenging 21st century actually calls for the rigid and disciplined leadership of the colonial era," he said.
Bernama
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